Home » Leodan Silva Arrested for Murder of Neighbor in Cuba

Leodan Silva Arrested for Murder of Neighbor in Cuba

Killed 69-year-old Artemio Luna to steal a TV

by Sophia Bennett

SANTIAGO DE CUBA — Authorities in Santiago de Cuba have arrested Leodan Silva, the man accused of brutally murdering his 69-year-old neighbor, Artemio Luna Nápoles, during a robbery at the victim’s home in the municipality of Songo La Maya.

The motive behind the crime was to steal a television, according to reports shared by sources close to the Ministry of the Interior (Minint) and the Facebook page Héroes del Moncada. Luna was found dead in the yard of his home in the town of Belleza, located in the Maya Este area, after suffering a fatal head injury caused by a heavy object — believed to be stones used to strike him repeatedly.

Initial findings suggest that the attacker lured Luna outside, possibly by calling him, before carrying out the violent act. Neighbors stated that his house was ransacked, and a Panda-brand TV along with a recently cashed check may have been the primary targets.

Luna, who lived alone, was likely seen as an easy target. The crime occurred in the early hours of April 6, but according to local residents, police didn’t arrive until around 3 p.m., leaving the body exposed to the sun for nearly 10 hours.

The independent news outlet CubaNet also highlighted the fear spreading across the community, as Luna’s murder is just one of several violent incidents reported in recent weeks. One resident commented, “There have been at least three similar cases. People are afraid to leave their homes or go out at night.”

The province of Santiago de Cuba has seen a troubling spike in violent crime, with incidents ranging from homicides to armed robberies. In late March, the decomposed body of Agustín Rodríguez Domínguez, missing for nearly two months, was found in the Chicharrones neighborhood.

In 2023, a string of murders targeting security guards also shocked the city, leading to the arrest of Alex Recasén Suárez, who was accused of killing two guards during robbery attempts.

With Silva now in custody, residents hope justice will be served — though the overall climate of fear and insecurity remains.

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