Authorities from the Ministry of the Interior in Villa Clara have successfully dismantled a theft operation targeting the University of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara, as reported by state agency ACN. This operation led to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of some of the stolen property.
The Cuban News Agency detailed that the investigation began after repeated reports of thefts from state properties within the university's educational and service facilities, including the School of Stomatology and the School of Nursing.
Lieutenant Colonel Sandy Pérez Vázquez, leading the Provincial Criminal Investigation Unit, revealed that the perpetrators took advantage of the reduced personnel presence and weaknesses in building security to steal items such as water storage tanks, computer equipment, fans, and televisions intended for educational purposes and institutional comfort.
Initial investigations identified two suspects. Home searches, conducted with legal support, immediately led to the seizure of a water dispenser, a television, an air conditioning unit's condenser, and several mobile phones matching the list of stolen items.
In a subsequent phase, investigators uncovered additional concealed items within the area, including two more fans, a complete air conditioning unit, and another television. Pérez Vázquez stated that the ongoing investigation directly connected three individuals to this criminal network, conclusively solving four separate instances of theft and property damage.
On the same day, a restitution ceremony took place between the Ministry of the Interior and the university's leadership. Recovered items were returned to their respective academic and administrative departments. Dr. Calixto Orozco Muñoz, the university's rector, emphasized that the return of fans, televisions, and air conditioning units enables the university to resume normal services.
This incident is part of a broader trend of thefts at healthcare institutions that has intensified across Cuba during 2026. Recent weeks have seen reports of thefts within hospitals, including the theft of a fan from a hospitalized child in Santiago de Cuba, and complaints from medical staff in Cienfuegos about stolen belongings during shifts.
Crime on the island has grown more severe, with the Cuban Observatory of Citizen Audit reporting a 43% increase in murders in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year, rising from 63 to 90 cases.
The Ministry of the Interior has organized public ceremonies for returning recovered goods in several provinces as part of its strategy to address deteriorating public safety. On September 1, the U.S. Embassy in Havana warned of a "widespread increase in crime" in Cuba, linked to worsening economic conditions amid the country's structural crisis.
Pérez Vázquez noted that the investigation remains ongoing: "The investigation file remains open and active, aiming to precisely determine the criminal responsibilities of each involved party, recover the remaining institutional property, and uncover potential links to similar illegal activities previously recorded in the university environment."
Frequently Asked Questions about Villa Clara Theft Investigation
What items were stolen from the University of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara?
Stolen items included water storage tanks, computer equipment, fans, televisions, a water dispenser, a television, an air conditioning unit's condenser, and several mobile phones.
How did the authorities respond to the thefts at the university?
Authorities conducted investigations leading to the arrest of three suspects, recovered some stolen items, and organized a public restitution ceremony with the university's leadership.
What broader trends in crime have been observed in Cuba during 2026?
There has been an increase in thefts at healthcare institutions and a 43% rise in murder rates, attributed to deteriorating economic conditions and structural crises in the country.