More than 1,600 Cubans Convicted of Illegal Cattle Slaughter and Meat Trafficking

Total 1,615 Cubans They face legal sanctions in 2024 for their involvement in the illegal slaughter of cattle and the sale of their meat, state newspaper Granma reported on Tuesday.

Report prepared by the Supreme Court judges Tomás Betancourt And Alina de Fátima SantanaIt found that 90 percent of those tried were sentenced to imprisonment, while 78 percent were sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. In addition, under the Criminal Code, convicts faced confiscation of assets and other additional penalties as prescribed by law, taking into account the circumstances of each case.

Compensation and Land Control Measures

In the relevant cases, those found guilty were ordered to compensate the victims for the damages they caused. Additionally, starting from March 1 of this year, authorities introduced a control exercise over land use and livestock ownership, targeting more than 80,000 cattle owners, both individuals and legal entities, across the country.

This initiative aims to regulate animal numbers and enforce stricter discipline in rural areas, ensuring that every farmer understands his responsibilities as a breeder.

Increasing Incidents of Cattle Theft

State as of May Las Tunas The highest rates of cattle theft and slaughter were recorded, with 1,954 incidents involving 3,480 cattle and horses reported in the first four months of the year alone. Similarly in June Guantanamo According to state government sources, 23 cases of cattle theft and slaughter were reported in just 24 hours.

These incidents underscore the persistent increase in such crimes and contribute to other thefts and social disorders that affect both local communities and the economy.

Holguín’s Alarming Figures

province holguín It closed the year 2022 with the loss of over 4,500 cattle due to theft and slaughter. By December 2023, this figure had increased to 7,400. These alarming statistics underscore the challenges the Cuban agricultural sector faces under the current regime.