Ahmed González, a trumpet player for the band Maykel Blanco y su Salsa Mayor, reported on Friday that his trumpet was stolen after thieves shattered the window of his car on Monte Street in Havana.
In a short video shared on Facebook, González sought assistance in finding his instrument, detailing the theft incident. "They just broke my car window on Monte Street and stole my trumpet. Please, if you see a silver Yamaha trumpet, I'll be sharing the details," he pleaded.
The musician's report sparked a wave of outrage and support. Numerous users criticized the apparent ease with which criminals operate in the city. One follower commented, "People are behaving terribly, for God's sake. And, of course, no one saw anything."
Another individual expressed dismay that thefts occur even in broad daylight and from locked vehicles. Commentators also highlighted the danger of the Monte Street area in Centro Habana, advising vigilance regarding Telegram groups where the stolen trumpet might be sold.
"It's too much already with these thefts. How much longer?" summarized a user reacting to the musician's post.
Despite the setback, González managed to fulfill his professional obligations with the help of fellow trumpeter Alexander Abreu, founder and director of Havana D'Primera, who lent him an instrument for a performance in Alamar. "Thank you, Alexander Abreu, for lending me your trumpet to work today," González wrote in another post.
Recovering the trumpet is particularly crucial as the orchestra had a concert scheduled for the following day, according to a comment on the original post.
Havana D'Primera also took to Facebook to warn musicians, "Attention trumpet players. If someone tries to sell you a trumpet, contact us immediately; it could be the one stolen from Ahmed."
This incident is part of a troubling trend of violence and theft affecting Cuban musicians. Recently, singer-songwriter Ray Fernández reported being violently assaulted in Vedado, suffering facial fractures and losing several teeth.
In April 2025, the group Ars Longa revealed that a rare ancient trombone was stolen from a car in Havana. That same year, Adalberto Álvarez's orchestra experienced a theft of a piano and other equipment at La Tropical, though they eventually recovered the items.
The method used against González is consistent with a criminal tactic highlighted by the U.S. Embassy in Havana in September, which advised residents against leaving valuables in vehicles due to increasing window-smash thefts.
Additionally, the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory recorded 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, marking a 115% rise compared to the previous year, with 398 cases occurring in Havana.
Understanding the Rise in Theft and Crime in Havana
What happened to Ahmed González in Havana?
Ahmed González, a trumpet player for Maykel Blanco y su Salsa Mayor, had his trumpet stolen after thieves smashed the window of his car on Monte Street in Havana.
How did Ahmed González manage to perform after the theft?
González was able to perform thanks to Alexander Abreu, who lent him a trumpet for his commitments in Alamar.
What is the trend regarding thefts in Havana?
There is a rising trend of thefts and violent incidents in Havana, with increased reports of window-smash thefts, especially targeting valuables left in vehicles.
What advice did the U.S. Embassy in Havana give to residents?
The U.S. Embassy in Havana advised residents not to leave valuables in their cars due to the increasing number of thefts involving broken car windows.