A Cuban beauty salon recently issued a warning to its followers about a disturbing criminal trend affecting the island: the theft of women's hair in public spaces.
Aimée Díaz, a Cuban stylist, took to Instagram to share the account of a client who was assaulted over three months ago in Havana. In addition to stealing her phone, portable charger, and other belongings, the assailants used a knife to cut her hair, presumably to sell it on the black market.
"The worst part is, it's no longer just about stealing personal items like your phone or wallet. Now they're taking your hair too," lamented Díaz, owner of the private beauty business, Salon Galexa.
The victim, known as Rossy, also works in the beauty industry. After the traumatic incident, she waited for her hair to grow back to a reasonable length before getting a new haircut, which is why her story is only now coming to light as she visited her trusted stylist.
The Hair Theft Incident in Havana
The incident took place in Lawton, around 8:00 p.m. Rossy was walking through her neighborhood when she felt someone grab her hair. At least two individuals, who masked their faces with shirts, were involved.
"They grabbed me by the hair, dragged me into an alley, and said, 'If you scream, we'll kill you.' I didn't scream, but they cut my hair, stole my phone... They were hooded, and the police told me, 'How can we do anything if we don't even know who they are?'" Rossy explained.
Díaz used this story to issue a public warning to Cuban women with long hair: "Be careful, avoid going out alone at night, and stay very alert. The situation we're facing can expose us to unimaginable dangers."
The High Value of Long Hair in Cuba's Black Market
Long hair holds significant economic value in Cuba's black market, where it's traded for natural hair extensions. In Santiago de Cuba, hairpieces were reported to sell for up to 300,000 Cuban pesos by the end of 2024. Currently, the price might be even higher.
The high demand for natural hair has turned it into a valuable commodity, attracting interest from both those who sell it willingly and criminals who see it as loot.
Amidst the economic crisis, many women on the island have resorted to selling their long locks to meet basic needs. In January 2024, a Cuban woman auctioned her hair on social media, rejecting an initial offer of 40,000 pesos and receiving bids as high as 65,000.
Even Cuban mothers have turned to this option to purchase food, school supplies, or baby clothes.
Understanding the Hair Theft Phenomenon in Cuba
Why is hair theft happening in Cuba?
Hair theft is occurring due to the high economic value of long hair in Cuba's black market, where it's sold for natural hair extensions. The economic crisis has also pushed many to resort to selling hair to meet basic needs.
How can women protect themselves from hair theft?
Women can protect themselves by avoiding going out alone at night, staying vigilant, and being aware of their surroundings to prevent becoming victims of such crimes.
What is the market value of hair in Cuba?
The market value of hair in Cuba can reach up to 300,000 Cuban pesos for hairpieces, although current prices may be even higher due to escalating demand.