Eliezer García Delgado, a 24-year-old farmer from La Caridad farm in Fontanales, Ciego de Ávila, reported on Monday that criminals deliberately set fire to his family's fields in broad daylight, an act he attributes to retaliation against his grandparents.
In a Facebook video, García Delgado attempts to stop the flames with a machete and a branch. He mentions that he couldn't use the tractor due to a lack of fuel to start it.
The footage captures the fire devouring part of a mango grove planted by his family over 15 years ago.
"Today, in broad daylight, criminals intentionally set fire to my family's farm fields, contributing nothing but harm to society," he wrote when sharing the video.
Beyond the arson, García Delgado used the opportunity to highlight the insecurity faced by those who produce food in Cuba daily.
"Being a farmer in Cuba means working hard all day and spending sleepless nights battling the worst current plague in Cuban fields: thieves," he lamented.
The young man recounted almost catching one of the perpetrators but claimed that had he reacted violently, he would have ended up in jail.
"If you catch that guy, give him a machete blow to the head, you're the one in prison. At 24, Eliezer would be behind bars," he stated.
"The laws in my country aren't strong enough to prevent people like this from harassing citizens who provide food for the people; likewise, if we take justice into our own hands, then justice swiftly acts to imprison those farmers defending their family heritage," he affirmed.
He also condemned the police's priorities.
"The police continue to worry about the music from motorbikes instead of focusing on the thieves and bandits harming the farmers who produce food for the people," he expressed.
According to his testimony, the fire was ignited by individuals holding a grudge against his grandparents, whom he described as "two poor old, honest people."
The Growing Violence in Cuban Countryside
This incident adds to a rising tide of violence and insecurity affecting rural producers on the island.
On July 11, a farmer from Songo-La Maya, in Santiago de Cuba, reported being attacked by armed men at dawn, who killed his dogs and forced him to abandon his farm. In May, producer Osvaldo Carbonel was murdered in Segundo Frente while attempting to recover a stolen pair of oxen.
The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory recorded 721 reports of thefts in rural areas during 2025, with Matanzas, Las Tunas, and Santiago de Cuba among the hardest-hit provinces. In February of this year, another 70-year-old farmer reported that criminals tried to poison his dogs after stealing more than eight animals, without authorities managing to apprehend those responsible.
These events occur amid a severe food crisis. In June, regime officials acknowledged the collapse of the distribution of basic goods from the rationed basket, while various reports indicate that the vast majority of the population struggles to access adequate nutrition.
Through his denunciation, García Delgado sought to explain why fewer Cubans are willing to remain in the countryside.
"When you wonder why no one wants to live in the Cuban countryside, here's your answer," the young man concluded.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuban Agriculture
What challenges do Cuban farmers face today?
Cuban farmers are grappling with insecurity, theft, and violence, which severely impact their ability to produce food. The lack of strong legal protection exacerbates these problems.
Why is there a food crisis in Cuba?
The food crisis in Cuba is driven by the collapse of distribution systems for basic goods, coupled with the challenges faced by farmers, such as theft and lack of resources.