Lenia Valdés Amador, the mother of Dr. Yanelkys Alonso Valdés who was tragically murdered last Sunday in Güines, Mayabeque, passed away on Friday after spending several days in a critical condition due to the injuries sustained during the same assault that claimed her daughter's life.
The Facebook platform Nio Reportando un Crimen confirmed the 75-year-old woman's death, stating that she died "around midnight, after days of fighting for her life," during which she underwent surgery for a pneumothorax caused by the attack.
This tragic event has now claimed a second life: a mother and daughter both victims of the same brutal assault, with their deaths occurring five days apart.
Yanelkys Alonso Valdés, aged 55, was a specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics associated with the Maternal Hospital of Güines.
The alleged attacker has been identified by Nio as Horlianys Valdés, the doctor's former partner.
During the same attack, a cousin of the victim, also a doctor, was injured while attempting to defend the women.
Following the assault, the accused inflicted injuries upon himself; although initial reports suggested he had died, it was later confirmed that he survived and was placed under police custody while receiving medical care.
The Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) has classified the murder of Yanelkys as a femicide, marking it as the 47th case reported in Cuba for the year 2026.
Escalating Femicide Crisis in Güines
Güines has witnessed three femicides this year alone: in April, 37-year-old Mariolis López Silio, a mother of four, was killed, and in July, Yesneidy López Hernández was murdered in the street by her former partner.
Independent organizations have documented a troubling pattern that has persisted for years. According to OGAT, 83.3% of femicides in Cuba are committed by partners or ex-partners, 64.6% involve a knife, and 62.5% occur within the victim's own home.
From 2019 to June 2026, there have been 350 verified cases, though the independent organization acknowledges this is likely an undercount due to the lack of systematic and accessible official data.
A Call for Comprehensive Legislation
The Cuban regime lacks a comprehensive law addressing gender violence, and the 2022 Penal Code does not classify femicide as a standalone crime, only considering it an aggravating factor in homicide cases.
In 2022, the National Assembly rejected an amendment to incorporate it as an independent criminal category, a decision that human rights organizations criticize as indicative of the structural impunity surrounding these crimes.
Understanding Femicide in Cuba
What is the current situation regarding femicides in Cuba?
Cuba has reported 350 verified femicide cases from 2019 to June 2026, with independent organizations indicating this number might be higher due to underreporting.
How has the Cuban government responded to femicides?
The Cuban government has not enacted a specific law against gender violence, and femicide is not recognized as a separate crime in the 2022 Penal Code, leading to criticism of systemic impunity.
What are the common patterns in femicide cases in Cuba?
Most femicides in Cuba are committed by partners or ex-partners, often involving knives, and typically occur within the victim's home, according to independent reports.