A heartbreaking incident has struck a Cuban family, as 25-year-old Yadelaine Roque Torres was tragically killed on Friday night in La Caoba, near the town of El Cobre, in Santiago de Cuba. Her ex-partner is the alleged perpetrator of this grievous crime.
The suspect, a man with a criminal record, was found dead a few hours later on a bridge in the city, according to independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on Facebook.
Multiple accounts report that Yadelaine was assaulted with a sharp object and rushed for medical care, but unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries.
Her body was taken to the morgue at Ambrosio Grillo Hospital in El Cobre, where her mother and other relatives gathered in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Yadelaine was just a week away from her 26th birthday, set to be celebrated on September 12.
The Impact on the Family
One of the most distressing aspects of this case is that Yadelaine’s nearly five-year-old daughter from a previous relationship was likely a witness to the attack on her mother, as per close family testimonies. The father of the child lives outside of Cuba.
The alleged attacker has been identified as Yorgelis Vidal Ayarde, 24, a former inmate and Yadelaine's ex-boyfriend.
Details of the Aftermath
Hours following the crime, Yorgelis Vidal Ayarde was discovered deceased on Marimón Bridge in Santiago de Cuba's José Martí district. Initial reports suggest he committed suicide, although the precise circumstances require official clarification, which authorities have not yet provided.
Yadelaine's father, reportedly a former police officer, claimed that Yorgelis had stolen a substantial amount of money in dollars from him prior to the murder, although Mayeta Labrada noted this information couldn't be independently verified.
"Two deaths. One night. A child without her mother," Mayeta Labrada poignantly summarized the tragedy.
Rising Trend of Feminicides in Cuba
This case is part of a disturbing increase in feminicides across Cuba, documented by independent organizations due to the lack of public official statistics.
The Observatorio de Género de Alas Tensas (OGAT) has recorded 48 feminicides so far this year, up until August 28. Yadelaine Roque Torres's death marks the 49th such case.
Santiago de Cuba alone has seen at least three cases in 2026: Yuleidis Sánchez Rodríguez in Altamira, Rosaidis Donatien in Palma Soriano, and Merlin Noay, 17, in Songo La Maya.
Cuba lacks comprehensive gender violence legislation and does not recognize feminicide as a distinct criminal offense in its Penal Code, leaving victims and their families without the specific legal protection such crimes necessitate.
Understanding Feminicide in Cuba: Key Questions Answered
What is the current situation of feminicides in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing a worrying increase in feminicides, with 49 cases reported so far this year by independent organizations like OGAT.
How is Cuba addressing the issue of gender violence?
Currently, Cuba lacks a comprehensive law addressing gender violence, and feminicide is not classified as a separate criminal offense in its legal system.