Matanzas psychiatric hospital theft leads to arrest

A man identified as Ariel Reyes Vásquez was arrested at the Antonio Guiteras Holmes Provincial Psychiatric Teaching Hospital in Guanábana, Matanzas, after being caught attempting to dismantle metal tubes from the facility's perimeter fence. Hospital workers discovered the individual using a pipe cutter and detained him on-site. He is currently in police custody facing formal charges.

The incident occurs amid a reported increase in thefts of public infrastructure and materials across Cuba, a trend linked to the country's severe economic crisis. Similar thefts of metal components have been reported in Matanzas and other provinces, including Cienfuegos, Las Tunas, and Santiago de Cuba. Under Directive 475 of the Supreme People's Court, the theft of public infrastructure can be categorized as sabotage, carrying heavy legal penalties including long-term imprisonment.