A video shared on Instagram by user sshantl.avs has taken social media by storm, humorously and unfilteredly exposing the decline of Cuba's law enforcement. In the video, she dismantles the image of the once-feared "Black Wasps," describing today's officers as figures lacking respect and authority.
Sshantl.avs bluntly states in the video, which has garnered over 18,000 likes, "The Black Wasps of this country have become nothing more than flies." With a touch of ironic nostalgia, she recalls the elite officers of the past as "big, strong guys, you know, from the east, but strong." Today, however, she describes them as "two skinny guys in green uniforms, looking like dried twigs," concluding that "there's no respect for authority in this country anymore."
Her criticism extends beyond appearances. She argues that current officers wield power solely through their uniforms and the threat of arrest, not through any real authority: "This blowhard, pretending to be a tough general, I fear you because of your uniform and the threat of jail, but you wouldn't withstand a slap."
She goes so far as to say that if she were robbed, she would rather confront the thief than report it at a police station: "It's not even worth going to the police station to report anyone. If I'm robbed, I'd rather fight the thief myself."
The Structural Crisis of Cuban Law Enforcement
The video highlights an underlying structural crisis that the regime itself has partially acknowledged. In February, the government launched a public call to recruit new officers, offering training courses of six to eleven months. Months before, in October 2025, the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) was already recruiting directly from schools in Havana, indicating the challenge of attracting candidates.
The reasons for the decline are clear: officers earn between 823 and 1,000 Cuban pesos per month, a pittance amid the economic crisis, supplemented only by food packages and access to special stores. A former Cuban officer summed it up bluntly: "The officer is a tool of the system and struggles just like everyone else."
This has led to a mass exodus: 20% of the force left in the past year. As the police force dwindles, crime rates have soared. The Cuban Observatory of Conflicts documented 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, a 115% increase from 2024, with thefts being the most common. A staggering 78% of Cubans report feeling unsafe.
Escalating Crime and Eroding Authority
The erosion of police authority is evident in the streets. In March 2026, officers in Morón fled under a hail of stones during a protest. On June 3, in Central Havana, demonstrators physically pushed back officers during a protest against power outages lasting over twenty hours.
The mention of "Black Wasps" in the video also comes at a historically sensitive time. Following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces on January 3, Cuba acknowledged the deaths of 32 Cuban soldiers linked to his personal security, identified by several outlets as members of this elite unit. This publicized the decline of what was once considered the most capable unit of the island's repressive apparatus.
This month, Cuba fell to 109th out of 163 in the Global Peace Index for 2026, a ranking that numerically reflects what the woman in the video expresses: a state that can no longer ensure the order and safety of its citizens.
Understanding the Decline of Cuban Law Enforcement
Why has the respect for authority declined in Cuba?
Respect for authority has declined due to economic hardships, low police salaries, and a lack of real authority, as the power is perceived to come only from the uniform and threat of arrest.
What are the recruitment challenges for Cuban police?
Recruitment challenges stem from low salaries, lack of incentives, and the need to recruit directly from schools, indicating difficulties in attracting new candidates to the police force.
How has crime increased in Cuba recently?
Crime has surged by 115% from 2024 to 2025, with thefts being the most prevalent, as the police force struggles with significant attrition and dwindling resources.