'The violence is getting out of hand': Crime grips Cuba's streets

'The violence is getting out of hand': Crime grips Cuba's streets

The Global Story · 2024-10-07

The late leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, famously called Cuba “the safest country in the world”. But more and more Cubans are starting to speak out about crime on their streets.

And increased violence isn’t the only problem it is facing. Blackouts, food shortages and a lack of water are all fuelling a mass exodus from the country.

On this episode, Caitríona Perry speaks to our Cuba correspondent Will Grant about what its rising crime rate reveals about life on this struggling island.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Alice Aylett Roberts and Mariana Hernández Carrillo

Sound engineers: Ricardo McCarthy and Gareth Jones

Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas

Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson

The Global Story

Where the world and America meet, with episodes each weekday. The world is changing. Decisions made in the US and by the second Trump administration are accelerating that change. But they are also a symptom of it. With Asma Khalid in DC, Tristan Redman in London, and the backing of the BBC’s international newsroom, The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption.

Come and join us our live event. You can register for Castfest tickets here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026

  • No. of episodes: 529
  • Latest episode: 2026-04-03
  • News

Where can you listen?

Apple Podcasts Logo Spotify Logo Podtail Logo Google Podcasts Logo RSS

Episodes