Dainelis Duque Estrada Díaz, a 17-year-old known in her neighborhood as “La Jimagua,” has been identified as the teenager who lost her life on Friday in the La Güinera neighborhood, Arroyo Naranjo municipality, Havana. She was fatally stabbed in the chest during a street altercation, as confirmed by the platform NiO Reporting a Crime based on information directly provided by her family.
The young woman was not the intended target of the assailant. According to her relatives, the attack was aimed at another young man identified by locals as the son of Luisito "El Enano," who was driving a motorcycle.
Dainelis was accompanying him to run an errand when the incident occurred. A family member shared on social media: “The knife was meant for the jimagua, but my cousin took it right in the chest.”
The family circulated a wanted poster with the photograph of the alleged perpetrator, who was considered a fugitive at the time of publication. Cuban authorities have yet to release any official statement on the case or confirm the suspect's apprehension.
Dainelis’s family demands justice, urgently calling on the public to assist with any information that could lead to the suspect's capture.
A relative wrote on social media: “We only ask for justice. She was just 17. Coward: if you had the courage to do it, have the courage to turn yourself in.”
The case sparked outrage on social media platforms. Dozens of people, including neighbors, acquaintances, and citizens unfamiliar with the young woman, conveyed their condolences and demanded the perpetrator be held accountable. Many comments emphasized that Dainelis was not involved in the conflict.
Someone who knew both the victim and the alleged attacker commented: “The girl was from my block, and the guy was a regular customer at my barbershop. Life is a roulette that strikes hard. Wherever you are, turn yourself in: you have children, and nobody knows better than you what it means to love a child. The girl was innocent.”
Another commenter stated: “That person should have the guts to surrender to the authorities. Every minute passed without doing so makes him more despicable. No matter the reason: be a man and own up.”
Several comments also noted that Dainelis's mother is outside the country. “May God give strength to that mother who is far away. She must be in unimaginable pain,” one user wrote.
Crime and Violence Surge in La Güinera
La Güinera has witnessed a series of violent events in recent months: in November 2025, Diosdaysis Sandoval Damas, 28, was murdered by her ex-partner in the same neighborhood; in February 2025, musician Rayne Paisan Dales was also killed there.
The municipality of Arroyo Naranjo was identified in December 2024 as one of the four in Havana with the highest concentration of drug trafficking and addiction.
Nationally, the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory recorded 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, marking a 115% increase compared to 2024.
From 2019 to June 2026, independent observatories documented over 350 femicides in Cuba, amidst a lack of specific legislation and institutions failing to provide effective responses.
A cousin of the victim summarized the family's sentiment: “Cousin, justice. We will remain steadfast; no one in the family will rest until this is resolved for you.”
Understanding the Violence in La Güinera and Cuba
What led to the attack on Dainelis Duque Estrada Díaz?
The attack was not intended for Dainelis; it was aimed at another young man who was with her during a routine errand.
How has the community reacted to the incident?
The incident has caused significant outrage on social media, with many people demanding justice and expressing condolences to the family.
What are the crime statistics for La Güinera and Cuba?
In 2025, the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory recorded 2,833 verified crimes, representing a 115% increase over the previous year. La Güinera has been identified as a high-crime area.