Two men, identified as Yunieski Pérez Sánchez and Didiet González Pérez, have been apprehended as alleged perpetrators of a brutal attack on a Cuban doctor. The victim was knocked down and assaulted before the attackers made off with her motorbike and other personal belongings.
The incident took place on Sunday, August 2, when Dr. Ailenis Pérez Cepero was traveling on the road between Oliva and Unión de Reyes in Matanzas, according to a report by Radio Unión Matanzas.
Swift Arrests Following the Assault
Yasiel Prado Valdés, the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) delegate in the municipality, confirmed the suspects were later captured at their homes in Nueva Paz, Mayabeque. One suspect was found in the area of the former Manuel Isla sugar mill, while the other resided in Los Palos, as detailed by Prado Valdés.
"Investigations led us to the alleged offenders based on efforts at the crime scene, the nature of the incident, interviews conducted in the area, and information provided by the victim herself," Prado Valdés explained.
Details of the Attack Emerge
The radio station's account indicates that Pérez was forcibly removed from her motorbike and subsequently assaulted. The attackers are believed to have taken the vehicle along with other possessions.
The Facebook page Con Todos La Victoria, linked to MININT, provided further details, identifying the detainees as Yunieski Pérez Sánchez and Didiet González Pérez. According to this source, the doctor was riding an electric Mishozuki scooter on Juan Gualberto Gómez road when two masked individuals ambushed her near the Oliva farm bridge.
In addition to the motorbike, the attackers reportedly stole a gold chain, two rings, and a purse containing 2,000 Cuban pesos and personal documents.
Recovery Efforts and Further Investigations
Con Todos La Victoria also reported that authorities in Nueva Paz located a third individual suspected of receiving the stolen vehicle. Only some parts and traces of the motorbike were found, and this person was also detained and implicated in the legal proceedings.
Before the official account was released, communicator Niover Licea shared the case on social media, claiming the doctor was left unconscious after the attack. After regaining consciousness, she reportedly sought help until someone on a horse-drawn cart found her and took her to a police station.
Prado Valdés assured that more details will be unveiled as the ongoing investigations continue.
This violent robbery comes amid rising concerns about crime in Cuba, particularly in Matanzas. An analysis published in April highlighted the surge in criminal activity and the vulnerability of Cubans, citing data from the Cuban Observatory of Citizen Audit (OCAC), which recorded 2,833 crimes in 2025—a 115% increase from the previous year. Of these, 1,536 were thefts, with Matanzas being the province with the highest number of verified cases, totaling 503.
The region has witnessed other violent robberies in recent months. In early April, armed masked men assaulted two women in Cárdenas, stealing phones, portable chargers, and personal documents. One suspect was later apprehended. Weeks before, seven masked men on horseback stormed an agricultural cooperative in Colón, fired shots in the air to intimidate, and stole nine cattle, which they later slaughtered. Four suspects were arrested for that incident.
Understanding Crime in Matanzas
What happened to Dr. Ailenis Pérez Cepero?
Dr. Ailenis Pérez Cepero was violently attacked while traveling on her motorbike. She was knocked down, assaulted, and robbed of her motorbike and personal items by two individuals.
How were the suspects identified and arrested?
The suspects, Yunieski Pérez Sánchez and Didiet González Pérez, were identified through investigations that included on-site work, interviews, and the victim's contributions. They were arrested at their homes in Nueva Paz, Mayabeque.
What broader concerns does this incident highlight about crime in Cuba?
This incident underscores increasing crime rates in Cuba, especially in Matanzas. Reports indicate a significant rise in criminal activities, with Matanzas having the highest number of verified theft cases.