A young Cuban man was apprehended in public while allegedly committing theft in a place known as La Caridad, sparking a heated discussion on social media regarding public safety on the island.
The footage, shared by Léster Keyner Rodríguez Hernández, was captured from inside a public transportation vehicle and depicts a narrow street lined with colonial architecture, where the suspect attempted to steal a bicycle.
"Right now in La Caridad, they caught a thief stealing in broad daylight," the video’s uploader remarked, as the one-minute and six-second clip garnered over 57,000 views and approximately 1,545 reactions.
The incident, with the specific province remaining unspecified, adds to a series of similar occurrences reported across various Cuban provinces throughout 2026, where it is the citizens themselves who apprehend alleged thieves due to the sluggish or nonexistent police response.
In August, residents in Camagüey detained a thief within the confines of a home's yard because authorities were slow to respond, while in the same week, Villa Clara locals tied up a suspected thief and shared evidence of the theft on social media.
Furthermore, in August, Manzanillo locals captured another suspect and publicly criticized the police's lack of action.
This trend of citizen-led justice has been ongoing for months: in July, Cárdenas residents caught and restrained a suspected thief, and in April, Havana locals held another on a tricycle until authorities arrived.
The rising crime wave in Cuba is supported by concerning statistics. According to the Cuban Observatory for Citizen Audit (OCAC), there were 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, marking a 115% increase from 2024 and a staggering 337% rise from 2023.
Understanding the Surge in Crime in Cuba
What sparked the recent debate on public safety in Cuba?
A young man was caught allegedly stealing in La Caridad, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, prompting discussions on the island's safety.
How are citizens reacting to the crime wave in Cuba?
Citizens have increasingly taken matters into their own hands by capturing suspected thieves and sharing evidence online, due to slow or absent police responses.
What does the OCAC report say about Cuba's crime statistics?
The OCAC reported 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, indicating significant increases of 115% over 2024 and 337% over 2023.