A Facebook video captures the moment when residents of Santa Clara apprehend a man suspected of snatching a chain from a person in their community.
This brief 30-second video has garnered over 14.7 million views and 250,000 reactions, becoming a focal point of discussion regarding the rising insecurity in Cuba.
According to Nio Reporting a Crime, the suspect reportedly snatched a chain from a woman in Santa Clara, Villa Clara.
"Following the incident, several individuals in the vicinity managed to catch and restrain him, allegedly preventing his escape. As of now, the identity of the suspect and further details about the incident remain unknown," they added.
In the footage, a voice can be heard shouting, "Smash his head, smash his head for being brazen," capturing the anger of those involved in holding the suspect.
Comments on the video reveal a recurring debate whenever such footage circulates on social media. Estela Rafaela Hernandez remarked, "The neighbors are doing the job meant for the police," summarizing the widespread belief that the Revolutionary National Police is ineffective in handling everyday thefts.
Others warn of the potential dangers of this situation. Pedro Jose pointed out that "soon, criminals will arm themselves and, when cornered, will try to escape by causing harm with knives," describing the situation in Cuba as "degrading and very ugly." Carlos Gil de Montes captured the essence of the episode with three words: "Total loss of values."
Recently, residents of Villa Clara tied up a suspected thief and shared evidence of the theft on social media. In July, people in Cárdenas, Matanzas, captured and restrained another suspect in a building before authorities arrived. On September 16, a doctor pursued and caught a young man who snatched a chain from him. In May, a teenager detained by residents in Santiago de Cuba after stealing two chains declared, "I am a minor, nothing will happen to me."
The rise in these incidents parallels a steady decline in public safety across Cuba. The Cuban Citizens Audit Observatory reported 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, a 115% increase from the previous year, with thefts being the leading category: 1,536 cases, a 479% rise compared to 2023.
Cubalex documented August 2026 as the most violent month since their monitoring began, with 315 criminal acts and 52 homicides, surpassing the previous record in July, which had 37 homicides and 168 violent acts.
The Ministry of the Interior acknowledged a 25% rise in property crimes at the start of the year, attributing it to the "complex economic situation," without addressing the impact of state management on the deterioration. Journalistic analyses suggest that about 20% of police officers have left the force, exacerbating the gap between security needs and institutional response capacity.
On Friday, Cubans openly criticized the police for allocating resources to controlling political posters and propaganda instead of addressing crime—a critique that is becoming increasingly common as muggings and thefts become a regular part of life on the island.
Understanding Cuba's Crime Surge
What sparked the recent wave of public apprehensions of thieves in Cuba?
The increase in public apprehensions of thieves is due to a perceived failure of the police to effectively combat everyday crimes, leading residents to take matters into their own hands.
How has public safety changed in Cuba in recent years?
Public safety in Cuba has deteriorated significantly, with a sharp increase in crimes such as theft and violence, as documented by organizations like the Cuban Citizens Audit Observatory and Cubalex.
What are the consequences of the rising crime rates for Cuban society?
The rising crime rates in Cuba have led to a loss of public trust in law enforcement, increased vigilantism, and a general sense of insecurity among residents.