Horse theft continues to be a significant concern for farmers and owners throughout Cuba. Currently, two young men from San José de las Lajas, located in Mayabeque, are frantically searching for their stolen horses. They are offering substantial rewards to ensure the safe return of these animals.
Two days ago, the Facebook page Rodeo Cubano issued a plea for assistance in locating the two horses, which belong to Tito Suárez and Yordan Quintero, both residents of San José de las Lajas.
"Please don't kill them. Help us find them," the post urged, highlighting a major fear surrounding these thefts: that the animals might be slaughtered before their owners can recover them.
A reward of 200,000 pesos is being offered for Tito Suárez's gray horse, while Yordan Quintero's bay horse comes with a bounty of 100,000 pesos and a fattened bull.
"To those who have them: please, do not harm them. Return them. The offered reward will be paid," Rodeo Cubano reiterated.
The incidents were reported separately just a day earlier. The Más Puro Rodeo Cubano detailed that Yordan's horse was taken from a pen located behind the funeral home in San José de las Lajas.
According to the account, the horse was merely a few feet from the family home when it vanished during the night.
The owner had been preparing the horse for work, intending to harness it to a cart, making its loss a significant blow to his livelihood.
"Today they've stolen more than just a horse: they've taken away a future means of income and a crucial part of his efforts," the statement noted.
Tito Suárez's case was also highlighted by Rodeo Cubano. He expressed the profound impact the theft had on his family.
"You didn't just steal a horse from me. You took away my livelihood, my food, my child's food, my enjoyment, and a piece of my life," he lamented.
This latest call for help adds to a series of reports about horse and livestock thefts in various Cuban provinces.
At the end of August, four horses were reported stolen in Cienfuegos, with owners publicly pleading for their safe return.
Days earlier, two horses used by young acrobats were taken in Colón, Matanzas.
In June, another family offered a $1,000 reward for stolen animals in Ciego de Ávila.
The issue of livestock theft has become so severe that over 330 horseback riders were recently mobilized in Camagüey to combat these crimes.
Understanding the Rise of Horse Theft in Cuba
Why is horse theft becoming more common in Cuba?
Horse theft is on the rise in Cuba due to economic hardship and the increasing value of livestock as a vital source of income and transportation for many families.
What measures are being taken to prevent horse theft?
In response to the rising thefts, communities and local authorities are organizing efforts such as mobilizing horseback patrols and offering rewards for information leading to the recovery of stolen animals.
How are horse owners responding to thefts?
Horse owners are responding by offering substantial rewards for the return of their animals and publicly appealing for help to prevent the horses from being harmed or sold illegally.