Rachel García González, a 27-year-old Cuban woman and mother to four daughters, was tragically killed on Sunday, September 28, in her home in Vertientes municipality, Camagüey. Her partner has been identified as the alleged perpetrator, according to the Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT).
The incident took place in the La Iglesia neighborhood within the Los Ángeles community, raising the confirmed number of femicides in Cuba to 55 for the year 2026, as of September 30, based on the records of this independent organization.
García González worked as a domestic worker and left behind four school-aged daughters, including twin girls. Notably, OGAT reported that none of the children were related to the man accused of the crime.
Community Reactions and Background
Community members informed the observatory that the couple had been involved in arguments in the days leading up to the tragedy. Additionally, the organization noted that the house where the murder occurred had been recently constructed by the accused, who was apprehended following the event.
“Our deepest condolences go out to her four young daughters, who survive her, as well as other family members and close ones who mourn her untimely and preventable death,” OGAT expressed.
Rising Femicide Rates in Cuba
The case of Rachel García happened just three days after the murder of Diddianys Barreto Palmero, aged 34, in Ceballos, Ciego de Ávila. Independent feminist platforms reported that Barreto was allegedly killed by her ex-partner, who subsequently took his own life, leaving behind two young daughters.
September also saw the case of Yusinay Capetillo Martínez, 41, who was murdered on the 19th in Santos Suárez, Havana, during a blackout. Independent observatories attributed the crime to her former son-in-law, marking it as the 53rd confirmed femicide in Cuba for 2026.
The escalation in cases has notably characterized this year. By early September, Cuba had already documented 50 verified femicides for 2026.
Challenges in Femicide Legislation
According to OGAT's records, the first nine months of this year have already surpassed the 49 femicides documented throughout 2025. In addition to the 55 verified femicides in 2026, OGAT reports 27 attempted femicides and two male murders in feminicide contexts.
The organization is also investigating 12 potential femicides and 11 attempted cases reported this year that have yet to be verified.
Despite persistent calls from activists and independent organizations, the 2022 Cuban Penal Code does not recognize femicide as a distinct crime. The Cuban government claims a "zero tolerance" policy towards gender-based violence. However, independent observatories have long demanded greater transparency in official statistics, effective prevention and protection mechanisms for at-risk women, and comprehensive legislation against gender violence.
Given the challenges in documenting these cases within the island, OGAT provides an anonymous form for reporting potential femicides, aiming to gather information that can be later investigated and verified.
Understanding Femicide and Legal Challenges in Cuba
What is the current status of femicide legislation in Cuba?
As of 2022, femicide is not recognized as an autonomous crime in the Cuban Penal Code, despite ongoing advocacy from activists and independent organizations for its inclusion in legislation.
How many femicide cases have been confirmed in Cuba for 2026?
By the end of September 2026, 55 femicide cases have been confirmed in Cuba, according to the Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT).
What efforts are being made to document and verify femicide cases in Cuba?
OGAT maintains an anonymous form to report potential femicides, aiming to collect information that can be investigated and verified, despite challenges in documentation within the island.