Cuba Reports 49 Gender-Motivated Murders in 2025 Amidst...

Cuban tribunals have identified 49 cases of women over 15 murdered for gender-based reasons during judicial processes in 2025. These official statistics, released by the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), indicate a rate of 1.19 femicides per 100,000 women.

This figure represents a reduction compared to the 76 cases recorded in 2024 and 60 in 2023. The data was compiled by the state's Observatory on Gender Equality. The capital, Havana, registered the highest number of cases with 12, followed by Mayabeque, Camagüey, and Holguín, each with six.

Approximately 33 of these tragic incidents occurred in urban areas. The report highlights that nearly half of the victims, 46.9%, were killed by ex-partners, and a significant 89.7% of these murders took place within the home.

Where and When

The judicial processes in 2025 revealed these 49 femicides occurred across Cuba. Havana reported the highest concentration with 12 cases, while Mayabeque, Camagüey, and Holguín each recorded six. Most victims were between 20 and 44 years old, with 75.5% being unemployed.

The majority of these violent acts, 89.7%, transpired within the victim's home, underscoring the vulnerability within domestic spaces. The circumstances reported suggest a pattern of intimate partner or ex-partner violence.

Why It Matters

The official recognition of 49 femicides, while lower than in previous years, still highlights a persistent and critical issue of gender-based violence in Cuba. The statistics reveal the devastating impact on families, with at least 32 victims leaving behind 54 children and adolescents orphaned.

This data is crucial for understanding the scale of violence against women and the urgent need for more effective prevention and protection measures. The discrepancy with independent figures also raises questions about data transparency and the state's response to gender violence.

What Parties Say

The National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) provided the official figures, noting a decrease from previous years. However, independent feminist platforms like Alas Tensas and YoSíTeCreo en Cuba have documented higher numbers, citing around 350 femicides from 2019 to June 2026.

Alas Tensas has warned of an increase in these acts during the first half of 2026, linking it to the country's deteriorating economic and energy conditions, which heighten women's vulnerability. The Cuban government maintains a policy of "zero tolerance" for violence against women, though femicide is not a specific crime in the Penal Code.

What Comes Next

The official statistics for 2025 suggest a downward trend in judicially recognized femicides, but the ongoing reports from independent organizations indicate the problem persists with significant urgency. The lack of specific legislation for femicide in Cuba remains a point of contention.

Activists continue to push for better state responses in prevention, protection, and victim support. The situation calls for continuous observation of official data, alongside the meticulous work of civil society, to address the complex issue of gender-based violence in Cuba.