The once peaceful streets of Cuba are now marred by violence and crime, as young lives are lost to gang disputes and drug-related incidents. Jan Franco, a 19-year-old aspiring music producer, became a victim of this growing trend when he was stabbed to death outside a recording studio in Havana.
His sister, Samantha González, still struggles to come to terms with the loss of her brother, who she describes as the “light of their family.” She laments the increasing violence among Cuban youth, fueled by gangs and the use of weapons like knives, machetes, and even guns to settle disputes.
The situation has been exacerbated by the rise of a new drug called “quimico,” a cheap chemical high with a cannabis base that is gaining popularity among Cuban youth. The Cuban government, once quick to dismiss any claims of rising crime rates, has now acknowledged the existence of this drug and its impact on the country’s youth.
Critics, however, question the transparency of the government’s statistics on crime and violence, pointing out the lack of independent oversight in reporting these figures. Despite the government’s attempts to address the issue, many Cubans, like transgender activist Shyra, feel disillusioned by the lack of police response to crimes like theft and attacks.
As families mourn the loss of their loved ones to senseless violence, Cuba’s reputation as the “safest country in the world,” once touted by Fidel Castro, is fading away. The reality on the ground tells a different story, one of a nation grappling with a growing epidemic of crime and drug abuse, threatening the safety and security of its people.
