Las Tunas concluded the year 2025 with a staggering sexual violence rate of 7.57 incidents per 100,000 women aged 15 and older, nearly twice the national average of 4.19, ranking as the third highest in Cuba.
This alarming statistic was revealed on Thursday by the state-run publication Periódico 26, utilizing data from the Gender Equality Observatory of Cuba (OCIG), which is connected to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).
Throughout the year, the province saw 15 judicial proceedings related to sexual violence and an additional 10 concerning abuse, harassment, or related offenses, according to official reports.
When adjusted for the female population aged 15 or older, Las Tunas trailed only Pinar del Río and Camagüey in terms of sexual violence rates, despite larger territories recording more incidents in absolute numbers.
Indicators of extreme gender violence also surpassed the Cuban average. Femicide rates in Las Tunas were 1.51, compared to the national figure of 1.19, with the rate of women killed by their partners or ex-partners also at 1.51, exceeding the country's 0.94.
In this latter category, Las Tunas outpaced Havana, which had a rate of 0.90; Holguín, with 1.04; and Santiago de Cuba, with 1.25. Only Camagüey, at 1.80, and Mayabeque, at 3.64, recorded higher rates.
Trends Over Recent Years
The past three years reveal this issue is not new, as the sexual violence rate in Las Tunas decreased from 9.60 in 2023 to 10.85 in 2024, then dropped to 7.57 in 2025. Despite this reduction, it remains significantly above the national average.
In 2024, Las Tunas reported 22 sexual violence cases, with a rate of 10.85 per 100,000 women, roughly double the Cuban average for that year.
Concerningly, the rate of deaths caused by partners or ex-partners increased in Las Tunas from 0.99 to 1.51, while the national rate fell from 1.29 in 2024 to 0.94 in 2025.
Demographic and Institutional Factors
The analysis by the state media also highlighted demographic characteristics that might affect the vulnerability of certain groups. A significant 34.1% of Las Tunas' population resides in rural areas, compared to 25.3% nationally, where violence rates are higher than in urban settings.
Factors such as isolation, weaker support networks, and lesser institutional presence are suggested as possible influences, though these interpretations are drawn from the data and not proven causations.
Official statistics themselves have limitations. OCIG's metrics are based on resolved judicial cases handled by the Supreme People's Court, potentially omitting many incidents.
The report notes that underreporting, especially in sexual crimes and rural regions, means these figures likely represent a minimum estimate of the problem.
Broader Context of Gender Violence in Cuba
The provincial situation reflects a broader pattern of violence against women in Cuba. Independent observatories Alas Tensas and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba documented 48 confirmed femicides in 2025, alongside 17 attempted femicides and two gender-related murders of men.
These organizations warned that this tally was an undercount, as they were still investigating other cases and lacked access to police and judicial records necessary for verifying all reports.
In 2026, Las Tunas continued to experience severe incidents. For instance, in July, a 23-year-old pregnant woman was allegedly murdered by her ex-partner in the provincial capital. Alas Tensas Gender Observatory confirmed this was the fourth documented femicide in the province for the year, bringing the total verified femicides in Cuba to 42 by then.
The observatory also recalled that the previous femicide of a pregnant woman they documented in the country occurred in Las Tunas in June 2024.
Understanding Sexual Violence Rates in Las Tunas
Why is Las Tunas experiencing higher sexual violence rates?
Las Tunas faces higher rates of sexual violence due to a combination of demographic factors, such as a higher rural population where violence is more prevalent, along with weaker support networks and less institutional presence.
What are the limitations of the statistics presented?
The statistics are limited as they are based on resolved judicial cases, which may not account for all incidents, especially in rural areas where underreporting is more common.
How does Las Tunas compare to other regions in Cuba regarding gender violence?
Las Tunas ranks high in sexual violence rates, surpassed only by Pinar del Río and Camagüey, and exceeds many regions in femicide rates, indicating a severe gender violence problem.