Crime in Cuba

Though the Cuban government does not release official crime statistics, Cuba is considered one of the safer countries in Latin America. Gun crime is virtually nonexistent, drug trafficking has been largely curtailed, and there is below-average crisis intervention from police. Murder rates are also below those of most Latin American countries, with an intentional homicide rate of 5.00/100,000 inhabitants (572 intentional homicides) in 2016, lower than any other country in the region.

Cuba's historical, political, and economic evolution has greatly impacted the types and the prevalence of crime in the country. The Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro ushered the beginning of the Communist Party's rule in Cuba, which remains the sole ruling party of Cuba to this day. Under the socialist system, the government has focused on crime prevention through efforts such as community policing, education, and social programs. The government has also focused on addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty and inequality, and promoting social cohesion and solidarity among citizens.

At the same time, the authoritarian nature of the regime has allowed for the strict surveillance of its citizens, raising questions about civil liberties infringements in the government's attempts to reduce crime. The government has also used the strong presence of law enforcement agencies, such as the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), to maintain social order and prevent crime. The government's control over law enforcement agencies, including their structure, operations, and information dissemination, has resulted in limited availability of official crime statistics and concerns about the reliability of state-reported information. These factors make it challenging to accurately assess the crime situation in Cuba.