Cuban actor and theater director Alejandro Palomino has revealed that two intruders broke into his home during the early hours while his entire family was asleep. The incident has sparked a wave of reactions from Cuban artists and entertainers.
A Lack of Faith in Authorities
Before detailing the incident, Palomino expressed his skepticism regarding the authorities' response. He stated, "I already know that the constant blackouts, the absence of nightly police patrols, and overall incompetence have given criminals free rein. Reporting it seems pointless," he added.
The Night of the Incident
According to Palomino, the burglars entered through the bedroom of his daughter-in-law, Daniela, where her two-year-old son was also sleeping. "Last night, two men broke into my house. They came in through my daughter-in-law's room while her two-year-old son was sleeping next to her," he wrote.
It was a noise made by the intruders that awoke Daniela. Her movement prompted them to flee without taking anything. "Although nothing tragic happened aside from the attempted theft, our family remains in shock. It's an experience that leaves a deep mark," Palomino recounted.
A Stern Warning to the Perpetrators
Palomino issued a direct warning to the individuals who invaded his home. "I will only warn these scoundrels that they took a risk. While they could have plunged us into a tragedy, they also exposed themselves to the worst. I have the 'means' to make them pay with their lives for this assault. Don't doubt it!" he cautioned in his post.
Artistic Community Reacts
The post provoked a flood of shocked responses, especially from figures in the cultural sphere. Comedian Rigoberto Ferrera expressed his outrage succinctly, while playwright Ulises Rodríguez Febles conveyed his disbelief at the situation: "It's something you hear about daily, but it's more tragic when it happens to you or someone you care about."
Critic and journalist Frank Eduardo Padrón Nodarse was blunt: "This battered country has become a jungle. I'm relieved nothing serious happened."
Ulises Aquino Guerra pointed out the institutional responsibility: "We live in constant distress. The exposure of citizens to danger is disgraceful."
Luis Lacosta directly criticized the police: "Crime owns the streets now. The police only show up for political issues."
Alina Torres summed up the emotional aftermath: "It leaves a feeling of vulnerability that's hard to shake off."
Rising Insecurity in Cuba
This incident is not isolated. Actor Luis Alberto García warned in July about the rise in crime and criticized the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) for focusing more on political repression than on public safety.
Statistics support this perception. The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory reported 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, a 115% increase from 2024, with thefts being the most common at 1,536 cases. In the first half of 2026, crime became deadlier in Cuba, with documented murders rising by 42.9% compared to the same period in 2025.
Several commentators have linked the surge in nighttime burglaries to prolonged blackouts—some lasting over 20 hours in 2026—and the internal crisis within the National Revolutionary Police, which reportedly lost about 20% of its personnel.
Understanding the Crime Surge in Cuba
What factors are contributing to the rise in crime in Cuba?
The increase in crime is partly attributed to prolonged blackouts and a significant reduction in police personnel, which have created an environment where criminals can operate more freely.
How has the cultural community in Cuba reacted to the crime surge?
Many figures in the cultural community have expressed shock and frustration, criticizing the government for its inability to provide adequate public safety and focusing more on political control.
What has been the impact of crime on Cuban citizens?
The rising crime has left many Cubans feeling vulnerable and insecure, with a pervasive sense of fear and helplessness due to the lack of effective law enforcement.