Top Security Chief for Cuba's Leadership Attacked, Robbed of Luxury Watch on Street

It has belatedly been revealed that the head of the security bureau responsible for protecting Cuba's top leadership, including former Council of State President Raul Castro and President Miguel Diaz-Canel, was beaten and robbed of an expensive watch and a handgun in the middle of the capital city of Havana.

In a Cuban society where a citizen surveillance program similar to North Korea's five-household surveillance system operates and an atmosphere of fear toward military and police authorities prevails, it is extremely unusual for a high-ranking military official, especially the chief in charge of protecting top leaders, to be assaulted and robbed on the street.

According to Spanish-language media outlet Infobae and other sources on September 27 (local time), Brigadier General Emir Mesa, head of the Personal Security Bureau, was attacked by assailants earlier this month in downtown Havana.

The assailants indiscriminately beat Mesa with fists and feet before fleeing with his Rolex wristwatch and handgun.

Mesa did not suffer stab wounds from weapons, but was reportedly severely beaten.

The incident is causing an even greater shock as it occurred right after the 65th-anniversary event of the founding of the Personal Security Bureau, which was organized to dispel rumors regarding the health of former President Raul Castro.

The commemoration ceremony was held on September 5.

In his commemorative speech at the time, Mesa mentioned the incident in which former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was extradited to the U.S. and ordered thorough preparedness against the risks of kidnapping or assassination targeting the top leadership.

The attack, which almost went unnoticed given the nature of Cuba as a tightly controlled state, came to light after spreading through the U.S. social media platform Facebook and being reported by independent media outlets.

Investigative authorities have thus far conducted a massive search operation and arrested at least three suspects, but are keeping silent regarding their specific identities and the progress of the investigation.

Mesa, who has held key positions in core security apparatuses such as the military command and the Ministry of the Interior since 1998, has maintained his position as the chief security officer for Cuba's top leadership despite recent rumors of internal power struggles.

Critics point out that this incident, which occurred amid worsening energy shortages, severe economic hardship, and growing insecurity caused by long-standing U.S. economic sanctions, clearly exposes the dark side of a Cuban society where even ironclad public authority is shaking.
 
(Photo: Capture from Infobae, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.