A recent police operation in Guantánamo province, Cuba, resulted in the arrest of seven individuals accused of participating in an illegal network involved in the theft and unauthorized slaughter of large livestock. The arrests occurred in various locations, with some suspects caught carrying meat or actively butchering animals. Authorities praised the collaboration between the community and law enforcement, calling the operation a successful dismantling of the criminal group. However, the announcement lacked details on the suspects’ identities, evidence, or legal proceedings.
The surge in illegal cattle slaughter in eastern Cuba is largely driven by severe food shortages, inflation, and limited availability in state-run markets, pushing many to desperate measures to obtain meat. Cuban law imposes harsh penalties for unauthorized slaughter, with sentences up to 20 years in prison. While authorities frame these crackdowns as crime-fighting efforts, many Cubans view the root cause as the ongoing economic and food crisis that has made meat a scarce luxury.
