Cuba reports 56 verified femicides in 2026 following repeat offender murder

The Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) has verified the murder of 58-year-old Idania Castillo Sacre in the Taco Taco area of San Cristóbal, Artemisa province. The incident occurred on September 26, when the victim was allegedly intercepted by her ex-partner while engaging in religious activities and taken to a residence where she was killed.

The suspect, who has been apprehended, is a repeat offender. He previously served approximately 15 years of a 31-year sentence for the 2010 murder of another woman. This case has renewed discussions regarding the safety of women when convicted violent offenders are released back into the community.

As of early October 2026, OGAT has documented 56 verified femicides in Cuba this year, a figure that already exceeds the total recorded in 2025. The observatory's data also includes 27 attempted femicides and two instances of men being murdered within the context of femicidal violence.