Cuban comedian Limay Blanco, famously known as "Muñi Muñi", has spoken out against the theft of a large solar lamp he used to light up the street where his community project operates in San Miguel del Padrón, Havana. He has urged his neighbors to organize and collectively hire security guards to patrol the area.
In a video shared on social media, Limay showcased a lamp identical to the stolen one, warning his followers, "If someone tries to sell you this, it will be without the pole because it was stolen. This is the lamp, take a good look. It will be sold without the pole and remote."
This lamp was not just a personal item; it was part of Blanco's ongoing effort to keep the street illuminated, benefiting over 100 people weekly—mainly senior citizens and children—through his "Cristo Cambia Vidas" initiative, which he runs from his home.
Neighborhood Solution to Rising Crime
"Folks, I'm trying to light up the whole street because the elderly come in around eight in the evening. Sometimes they leave at nine; other times, near midnight or later when we have movie nights," Blanco explained in the video.
Faced with a lack of institutional response, the comedian proposed a community-driven solution: gathering residents at eight that evening to pool resources and hire two guards for the neighborhood. "We want to meet with all the neighbors to see if we can collectively pitch in and hire two guards for the street, because it's just too much. It's too much," he expressed with clear frustration.
Growing Trend of Community Security
At the same time, Blanco appealed for donations from his followers—sharing his phone number in the video—to purchase additional solar lamps and "large flashlights." "With your twenty cents, I'll keep saving to buy more lamps, to light up the whole area," he said.
This isn't the first theft Blanco has endured. In July 2025, he reported the theft of a water fountain, a vacuum cleaner, and a drill from his home, allegedly by the same thief who was released three months later due to insufficient evidence. Previous years saw the theft of a box of chicken and a pregnant sow.
The proposal for paid neighborhood security mirrors a growing trend across Cuba. The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory recorded 592 thefts between January and June 2026 alone, accounting for 60.1% of all documented crimes, averaging 3.27 cases daily. In 2025, thefts surged by 479% compared to 2023.
In Santiago de Cuba, authorities have enlisted locals to safeguard electrical infrastructure as part of the official "MiBarrioPorLaPatria" movement, while across Cuba, residents are taking matters into their own hands, apprehending thieves and assailants.
The "Cristo Cambia Vidas" project has provided more than 40 homes to vulnerable families and served up to 160 meals in a single day. In November 2025, Blanco loaded his car with firewood to ensure meals for the elderly during power outages and gas shortages.
"Keep going, my friend, blessings," Blanco concluded his message, infused with the same faith and exhaustion that characterizes his work in a Cuba where insecurity and darkness are on the rise.
Understanding the Security Challenges in Cuba
What prompted Limay Blanco to suggest hiring neighborhood security?
Limay Blanco proposed hiring neighborhood security following the theft of a solar lamp used for his community project, as well as a lack of official response to growing crime in the area.
How has the "Cristo Cambia Vidas" project contributed to the community?
The "Cristo Cambia Vidas" project has aided the community by providing over 40 homes to families in need and serving numerous meals, especially to the elderly, amidst challenging conditions in Cuba.