On Friday, María Rosa Carbonell Figueiras alerted her contacts on the Facebook group "REVOLICO LAS TUNAS Y MUNICIPIOS" about a break-in at her home in Las Tunas the previous night. Intruders took off with her electric bike and all her household appliances.
Carbonell provided a detailed list of the stolen items: a RALI electric bike in black and burgundy, two pressure cookers, two rice cookers, a microwave, an induction stove, a red electric coffee maker, a red blender, an electric coffee grinder, a toaster, a hand mixer, a spice grinder, and a green Swiss balance.
"To all my friends, last night they broke into my house and stole the bike along with all my appliances," Carbonell wrote, concluding her post with a stern warning: "DON'T BE FOOLED BY THESE THIEVES LIVING OFF OTHERS' HARD WORK. MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON THESE BASTARDS."
When questioned by friends, Carbonell Figueiras confirmed she had filed a police report, though skepticism was widespread among commenters.
"Today it was me; tomorrow it could be any of you," the victim cautioned in the comments section.
A user named Manuel Pinon shared that his home was burglarized nearly two years ago, with nothing recovered since. He sarcastically noted, "It seems only TV criminals get caught."
Another commenter criticized the Cuban legal system: "They break in, and if you defend yourself, you're the one facing charges, not the thief. As long as the laws remain lenient on criminals, these incidents will continue."
Electric bikes and household appliances have become prime targets for thieves in Cuba due to their high value amid the economic crisis and their demand in the black market.
With a growing sense of impunity and perceived inadequate police response, Cubans are increasingly turning to Facebook groups to report thefts and seek community support.
This incident adds to a series of thefts severely impacting Las Tunas. In June, a young man reported the violent theft of his moped in the heart of the provincial capital, and last September, two individuals looted a home on Avenida 2 de Diciembre, using a horse-drawn carriage to transport the stolen goods over multiple trips.
Moreover, in March 2025, the local government acknowledged over 300 crimes in a single week in the province, including cattle theft and the pilfering of electrical cables.
Frequently Asked Questions about Theft in Las Tunas
What items were stolen from María Rosa Carbonell Figueiras?
The stolen items included a RALI electric bike, pressure cookers, rice cookers, a microwave, an induction stove, a coffee maker, a blender, a coffee grinder, a toaster, a hand mixer, a spice grinder, and a Swiss balance.
How are Cubans responding to the increase in thefts?
Many Cubans are using Facebook groups to report thefts and seek community assistance, due to a perceived lack of effective police action and a growing sense of impunity.
What has been the local government's response to crime in Las Tunas?
In March 2025, the local government admitted to over 300 crimes occurring in one week, which included thefts of livestock and electrical cables.