Feminist group confirms fourth femicide in Cuba this July

A new femicide in Cuba brings the year's total to 38, according to the independent feminist platform Alas Tensas (AT). The victim, 39-year-old Yesneidy López Hernández, was attacked in public in Güines, Mayabeque province, on July 12. Her teenage daughter was also injured in the assault by the alleged ex-partner, who reportedly had a history of abuse.

Alas Tensas reported that the aggressor was on the run following the attack. The platform extended condolences to López Hernández's children and family. AT is currently investigating 12 other potential femicides, five attempted femicides, and one gender-motivated male murder reported in 2025, along with 11 potential femicides and four attempts in 2026.

The platform previously highlighted in April how Cuba's ongoing crisis exacerbates the vulnerability of women and girls. AT warned of persistent extreme violence, particularly within relationships and with ex-partners, often involving high levels of brutality. Their analysis indicates that in 93.8% of verified cases in Cuba, the perpetrator was known to the victim, underscoring the danger within relational contexts.

Alas Tensas has repeatedly called on the Cuban government to release official statistics, legally define femicide, activate protection protocols, provide shelters for at-risk women, and ensure effective emergency hotlines. Data compiled by EFE from feminist NGOs indicates at least 46 femicides occurred in Cuba in 2025. State-run media has reported a "zero tolerance" stance against gender-based violence, yet femicide is not a defined crime in Cuba's penal code, and state media rarely covers such incidents.