The human rights organization Cubalex released its monthly report on the situation in Cuba for July 2026, a month marked by an unprecedented spike in citizen violence since 2022, escalating state repression, and the ongoing collapse of essential services.
According to the report, 37 homicides were documented in a single month—the highest number since the organization began monitoring four years ago. Among these, at least nine were femicides.
Additionally, there were four reported suicides, the highest number this year, which Cubalex interprets as an indication of a mental health crisis that the state fails to acknowledge or address.
Escalating Violence and Mental Health Concerns
"Citizen violence reached its peak since 2022, with 37 homicides, 9 femicides, and 4 suicides, highlighting the fragility of public safety and the underreported mental health crisis," the report emphasizes.
In total, Cubalex documented 168 incidents of violence and public insecurity throughout the month. Most cases involved robberies and assaults with machetes or firearms, primarily targeting individuals in vehicles and aiming to steal power generation equipment.
Repression and Public Protests
The regime's security apparatus was deployed almost daily, not to curb the rising violence but to suppress protests over blackouts.
There were 199 public demonstrations in July, a decrease from the 253 recorded in June, although the daily average remained above six. Havana saw 160 of these events, with concentrations in Diez de Octubre, San Miguel del Padrón, and Centro Habana. A peak occurred on July 24, with 25 protests in one day.
On July 11, the fifth anniversary of the largest social uprising in decades, 15 demonstrations were noted, including two in prisons. The cacerolazo was the predominant form of protest, often accompanied by trash burning and road blockages.
Energy and Water Crisis
The primary catalyst for unrest was the energy and water crisis. July witnessed three total collapses of the National Electric System, consecutive days of local blackouts, and three months without potable water in Havana's outskirts.
State Repression: A Closer Look
The report details 388 repressive events and 817 harassment incidents against 302 individuals, 58% of whom were civil society members and 41% ordinary citizens not affiliated with the opposition.
The most common violations included abuses against detainees (161 incidents), police surveillance operations (98), arbitrary detentions (64), threats or coercion (54), and violence or harassment acts (48).
There were also 44 events of arbitrary arrests—with an estimated 77 victims unrecorded—15 short-term forced disappearances, and three deaths in custody due to medical negligence in Guantánamo and Combinado del Este.
Kilo 8 Special Prison in Camagüey recorded the most abuses with 29 incidents. Its director, Leonardo Suárez Reyes, was identified as the most frequent perpetrator, with six documented incidents.
Political Repression and Forced Exile
The report highlights the forced exile of artist and political prisoner Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, founder of the San Isidro Movement. After being removed from Guanajay prison on July 7 and kept in an undisclosed location, he arrived in Miami on July 18, a move Amnesty International described as a forced disappearance.
Cubalex notes that spikes in repression did not align with the most active protest days but instead with politically sensitive dates for the regime, revealing a preventive strategy focused on surveillance and mobility restrictions.
The July report is part of a rapidly deteriorating trend. The first half of 2026 saw 1,894 human rights violations, a 48% increase from the previous semester, with more than 10 events daily on average and a 56% rise in deaths in custody.
Understanding Cuba's Crisis: Key Questions Answered
What is the significance of the 37 homicides reported in July?
The 37 homicides represent the highest monthly total since Cubalex began its monitoring, highlighting a severe increase in violence and public insecurity.
How has the Cuban regime responded to public protests?
The regime has focused on suppressing protests related to blackouts rather than addressing the root causes of violence, deploying security forces almost daily.
What are the main drivers of unrest in Cuba?
The ongoing energy and water crisis, marked by power system collapses and lack of potable water, are the primary triggers for recent protests.