Cuban Man Shot and Killed in Matanzas: What Are the Details?

José Pablo Santovenia Gómez, a 63-year-old man, was fatally shot on Saturday night in the rural area of La Ferte, near Coliseo, in Matanzas province.

Christian Arbolaez, a resident of Matanzas, was among the first to report the tragic event on his Facebook profile.

Details Surrounding the Incident

The incident reportedly took place around 11:00 PM on Saturday, August 15, in La Ferte, a village within Limonar municipality, roughly four kilometers southwest of Coliseo.

According to Arbolaez's account, someone called out from outside José Pablo's home to inform him that his gate was left open. As he went out to close it, a gunshot was heard shortly after.

Those reporting the incident speculate it was an attempted robbery, though no official confirmation about the exact circumstances or the identities of those involved has been provided. As of the report's release, no arrests had been made.

Public outrage was fueled by the slow response of authorities, with José Pablo's body remaining at the scene from 11:00 PM on Saturday until about 3:00 PM on Sunday—approximately 16 hours later—before it was finally taken to the Medical Examiner’s office.

Christian Arbolaez concluded his post with a sentiment that captured the collective anger: "No one should die, especially not like this."

Who Was José Pablo?

Born on January 28, 1963, José Pablo was known in his community as a man of the land, devoted to his cows and horses, and well-regarded by those around him.

Liuba Rabelo remembered him as "a very hardworking man, always dedicated to his farm and animals," while Heriberto Serrano described him as "a simple, honest, extremely hardworking man."

Family members also shared their grief online: "RIP my uncle. We love you. May God hold you in His Glory," wrote Yudit Hernandez.

Social Media Reactions: Fear, Anger, and Distrust

The reaction across social media went beyond condolences, reflecting the widespread anxiety among Cubans regarding safety issues.

Leydi Neydi Morejón Tellechea encapsulated this sentiment: "We are living in constant fear." Garcias Dorys expressed it more bluntly: "Now they’re walking around with guns in the streets. How my Cuba has changed; I never thought I'd see things like this in my country."

Arsenia Ada García Alfonso highlighted the social backdrop: "It is very sad what’s happening in Cuba [...] people struggle daily to survive, and then criminals come and take away what they've worked hard for."

The call for justice was loud and clear. "I ask justice to do its job because José deserves justice," wrote a user identified as Silva.

A Troubling Pattern of Violence in Matanzas

This crime is part of a growing trend of violence in Cuba, as documented by independent observers.

The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory recorded 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, a 115% increase compared to 2024.

In 2026, Cubalex reported 28 murders in April alone, with Cuba dropping 11 places in the Global Peace Index, ranking 109th out of 163 countries.

Matanzas has witnessed several violent episodes recently: a deadly shooting outside the Mai Mai bar in Colón on July 23, the death of a 19-year-old at El Tenis beach in early August, and the murder of a man in Cárdenas in May.