A Cuban pastry chef found herself without her livelihood early Tuesday morning after a devastating burglary. According to her social media posts, intruders broke through her kitchen windows, entering her property to steal all the tools of her trade, her purse filled with cash, and her personal documents.
"These thieves, because that's what they are, took everything from my pastry business—every pot, my purse with cash and important documents, and other things," the woman lamented in her post, describing how she was alone with her young daughter when the crime occurred.
She recounted the terrifying experience, explaining that although she heard and saw everything, her fear of potential harm to herself and her daughter prevented her from intervening: "I felt and saw it all. But I was alone with my little girl, and fear gripped me because they could have harmed us."
The pastry chef's words paint a vivid picture of the terror she endured, as she chose to prioritize her daughter's safety and their lives over trying to save her business equipment.
Stripped of Everything: A Call for Help
After the theft, the woman was left without her tools, money, or identification. "They left me with nothing to support my daughter, without a penny, utterly devastated," she wrote.
Highlighting her personal determination, she noted, "Anyone who knows me knows that everything I have was earned through hard work, ensuring my daughter never goes without a meal."
Though she usually refrains from seeking help online, desperation led her to reach out: "I don't usually make these kinds of posts, but for my daughter, I'll do anything."
In her appeal, she asked for donations to purchase at least a mixer, which she described as the minimum required to restart her business: "Just enough to buy a mixer, which will allow me to make money and get back on my feet."
She added that she currently lacks food to feed her daughter and money to buy it.
Rising Crime and Public Outcry
With growing perceptions of impunity and distrust in authorities, more Cubans are turning to social media to report thefts and seek community support, just as this pastry chef did in her heartfelt plea: "With my heart in my hand, I ask anyone who can contribute even a small amount to help me—it will mean so much."
This incident is part of a troubling trend of increasing crime in Cuba. The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory (OCAC) reported 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, a 115% rise from 2024 and a 337% increase from 2023, with thefts being the most common at 1,536 cases.
In February 2026, the Ministry of Interior acknowledged a 25% rise in property crimes, as reported by elToque.
Independent sources attribute this decline to economic hardship, food shortages, and extended power outages.
Private enterprises are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of security systems and limited police response.
In December, a café in Marianao was burglarized while the owners were at the hospital, and in April, a private store in Matanzas experienced a similar early morning theft. These examples underscore the pervasive insecurity affecting the populace.
Understanding the Crime Wave in Cuba
What challenges do private businesses face in Cuba regarding security?
Private businesses in Cuba are particularly susceptible to crime due to the absence of robust security systems and an often inadequate police response, making them easy targets for thefts.
How has the crime rate changed in Cuba in recent years?
Crime in Cuba has seen a significant increase, with reports indicating a 115% rise in verified crimes from 2024 to 2025, and thefts have been particularly prevalent.
What factors contribute to the rising crime rates in Cuba?
The increase in crime rates is largely attributed to the economic crisis, food shortages, and frequent power outages, which exacerbate the vulnerability of the population.