Child Offenders: State Media Acknowledges Youth-Led Thefts in Matanzas

An opinion piece published this past Sunday in Girón, the official state newspaper of Matanzas province, openly admits that minors are engaging in acts of vandalism and theft in the area. This kind of acknowledgment is unusual from Cuba's state-run media, which often downplays or ignores such issues.

Journalist Jessica Acevedo Alfonso recounts incidents near her residence, including broken and stolen water pipes at a community service institution, alongside other "similar misdeeds" that disrupt the site's operations. According to Acevedo, local residents confirm that the neighborhood has also been targeted by the same young offenders.

Youthful Culprits in Matanzas

The defining characteristic of these lawbreakers is their age. "These vandals haven't reached adulthood," Acevedo notes, adding that "with their slight frames, apparent innocence, and the carefree nature of childhood, they often go unnoticed."

The journalist warns that these behaviors extend far beyond typical childhood pranks. "These are not age-appropriate mischiefs, as one might think. These are serious actions that could be classified as crimes under the law," she explains. She emphasizes that without timely intervention, these behaviors could escalate into more violent actions.

Underlying Causes and Broader Impact

Acevedo cites more severe incidents involving minors, such as mobile phone thefts and fights. This issue isn't new or exclusive to Matanzas; in November 2024, residents in Santiago de Cuba caught two children attempting to break into an apartment.

The journalist attributes part of this problem to the crisis overwhelming Cuban parents, who are forced to devote all their energy to securing basic necessities. "The harshness of these times and the hustle with which most parents live day-to-day, focused on securing a meal for our children or acquiring school supplies, shoes, snacks, preserving food, lighting charcoal, or fetching water, shouldn't deter us from addressing other important aspects of their lives," she writes.

Nevertheless, the piece does not delve into the structural causes of this crisis or the regime's accountability. Instead, it spreads responsibility among parents, schools, institutions, and the community, citing the Family Code (Law 156/2022) to remind of the duty to educate "through positive, participatory, and non-violent child-rearing methods."

Escalating Crime Statistics

The statistical context adds gravity to Acevedo's description. Matanzas led the nation in theft reports in the first half of 2026 with 155 cases, already surpassing the 143 recorded throughout 2025, according to the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory (OCAC). Additionally, the province accounted for 503 verified crimes in 2025, the highest provincial number in the country. Nationally, OCAC recorded 2,833 crimes in Cuba during 2025, marking a 115% increase from 2024.

The Cuban Conflict Observatory also documented 71 reports of child labor and begging on the island during 2025, highlighting how deeply the crisis pushes minors onto the streets and, in severe cases, into criminal activity.

Acevedo concludes her column with a stark warning, particularly striking for a state media outlet: "The loss of ethical values and the disregard for good conduct, given the ongoing social crisis on the Island, cannot be excuses for ignoring or justifying wrongdoing. If we are complicit in these behaviors today, we risk endangering not only the stability of our homes but also that of the larger society."