A new case of police abuse in Cuba has sparked outrage on social media after a video went viral showing two police officers indiscriminately beating a young man in a parking lot in Havana.
In the images -just over a minute long- there are no signs of the victim resisting, nor does he do anything that justifies the brutality with which he was beaten by the PNR agents.
According to the report -published on the news portal La Tijera and in other forums- the victim of the assault is said to be a bricklayer named "Maikel".
"Yesterday Maikel arrived from his job (he is a bricklayer) and parked his motorcycle, and immediately the police arrived at the parking lot, asked for his documents and then started to beat the young man.", published the mentioned source.
"From there, he was taken to the PNR Unit on Zanja, in Centro Habana, and they say they won't release him until Monday," added the post, which did not provide any details about what the young man would be accused of.
"While these abuses occur in #Cuba against working people, crime continues to commit its misdeeds, many with the protection of the police," concluded La Tijera.
The images sparked a wave of outrage on social media, where numerous users condemned the extreme violence employed by the involved police officers.
Comments like "It's easy to be aggressive in uniform; without it, it's a different story" and "What an abuse, for God’s sake!" reflect the public's frustration over what many see as a blatant injustice.
Most opinions point to the impunity with which certain police members act, while the real criminals continue to operate without facing consequences.
Moreover, the criticisms are not just focused on the abuse itself, but also on the lack of action against the true causes of insecurity on the streets.
As of the publication of this note, pro-government profiles have not commented on the case.
Frequently Asked Questions about Police Abuse in Cuba
What happened in the case of police abuse in Havana?
In Havana, two police officers were captured on video while indiscriminately beating a young bricklayer named Maikel, who did not resist or justify such brutality. The incident has sparked a wave of outrage on social media. Maikel was taken to the PNR Unit of Zanja, and it was reported that he would not be released until Monday, with no details provided regarding the reason for his detention.
What is the perception of the police in Cuba according to the citizens?
The general perception among Cuban citizens is negative, due to the frequency of abuses of power and the insensitivity shown in emergency situations. The Cuban police are seen as ineffective and often act with impunity. This is reflected in the public outrage in cases of police abuse, such as the one that occurred in Havana, and the perception that the real criminals continue to operate without consequences.
What other recent incidents of police abuse have been reported in Cuba?
Recently, several cases of police abuse in Cuba have come to light. These include assaults on citizens seeking urgent medical attention, detainees in unjust situations, and reports of abuse in prisons. For example, in Matanzas, a man was beaten by the police while requesting medical care for his critically ill wife.
Why do these cases of police abuse in Cuba generate such outrage?
Indignation rises because these cases reflect a systemic pattern of abuse and impunity by law enforcement in Cuba. Citizens feel unprotected and that the police do not act in their benefit, but rather abuse their power. Moreover, the inaction against the true causes of insecurity exacerbates popular frustration.
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