A Facebook user, Luis Ernesto Martínez González, has brought attention to an alleged surge in thefts occurring in Bolondrón, a town within the Pedro Betancourt municipality in Matanzas province.
In his Facebook post, Martínez claims that every morning his neighbors are left pondering the same question: Where was the theft last night? Items such as solar panels, ecoflows, gas cylinders, turbines, and water tanks are vanishing, painting a backdrop of insecurity in this small community of around 7,000 residents.
The post garnered numerous comments from both local residents and people from other provinces in Cuba. Martínez himself reported the theft of his plastic water tank and asked for any leads regarding its whereabouts.
"Bolondrón is under the siege of thieves. Each dawn brings fresh tales of the previous night's crimes. Homes are ransacked, solar panels, ecoflows, gas cylinders, turbines, and water tanks become the favored targets. These are possessions acquired with great effort," he stated.
Martínez González fears that the situation might soon lead to violence: "Complaints are piling up, yet solutions are scarce. Some locals are contemplating forming groups to confront these criminals. I worry that it might eventually lead to bloodshed, which would be truly regrettable."
Comments on the post paint a picture of an absent or ineffective police force. "It's better not to comment when the authorities show up the next day. They observe, ask if you suspect anyone, then ride off on their bikes," shared a neighbor.
Another participant recounted an incident demonstrating institutional paralysis: a woman personally recorded her turbine being stolen, but the police refused to take action, claiming her self-installed camera was "illegal."
"A ghost town without police, where the day's first question is: Where was the theft last night? Alongside numerous challenges, fear and insecurity also take root," summarized another individual.
The frustration has spilled beyond Bolondrón’s limits. A commenter from El Vedado in Havana reported losing water tanks, a motorcycle, and a pedicab in under a month.
From Reparto Bahía in East Havana, another person noted, "It seems the police are on endless vacation. No police cars or officers in sight. They used to patrol the neighborhoods. Now, there's nothing. Everything has become corrupt."
The San Pablo Episcopal Church in Bolondrón also reported thefts and police inaction recently. They first had an entire solar station stolen on May 23, followed by about 20 meters of solar power system cabling. Authorities acknowledged identifying the suspected culprits but claimed they lacked sufficient evidence to proceed.
Understanding the Crime Wave in Bolondrón
What items are commonly stolen in Bolondrón?
Commonly stolen items in Bolondrón include solar panels, ecoflows, gas cylinders, turbines, and water tanks.
How has the community responded to the thefts?
The community is considering organizing to confront the thieves, though there is concern it might lead to violence.
What challenges do residents face in addressing the thefts?
Residents face challenges such as an ineffective police force and lack of action despite identifying suspects.