Cuban detained in Holguín with 29 million pesos fuels debate over presumption of innocence
Juan Ramón was detained on the Holguín-Moa road after 29 million Cuban pesos were found in his vehicle. The case has sparked doubts on social media about the presumption of innocence.
Arrest with millions in cash raises legal and social questions in Cuba
A man identified as Juan Ramón was detained near the Los Pinos community council in Holguín after police officers found 29 million Cuban pesos in the car he was travelling in en route to Moa, reported periodicocubano.com.
The operation took place on the road connecting Holguín with Moa. According to a statement distributed by the Facebook profile Héroes de Azul en Cuba, linked to the Interior Ministry, the driver was unable to satisfactorily account for the origin of the cash nor presented documentation that justified its transportation. The investigation continues on suspicion of illicit enrichment.
So far no evidence has been disclosed establishing a criminal origin for the funds, nor has there been any report of a formal accusation before the courts. Neither was it clarified when exactly the intervention took place, whether other persons are connected to the money nor what documentation the officers demanded.
The post generated a wide reaction on social media, centred mainly on the principle of presumption of innocence. User Valeria Vidal Fuentes raised the question directly: "I ask: Is it illegal to have 29 million pesos? That person is not guilty until proven otherwise". Yanitsy Pujalá Melero raised a similar objection, pointing out that the burden of proving a criminal act rests with the accusing party.
Óscar Valdés also questioned the consistency between the photograph published and the sum announced. He argued that the visible banknotes corresponded to low denominations and calculated that 29 million in 100-peso notes would weigh approximately 290 kilogrammes: "one million dollars in 100-peso notes weighs 10 kg, which means that 29 million would be 290 kg, about 630 pounds", he wrote, although his estimate does not allow the amount to be verified with precision.
Other comments reflected the depreciation of the Cuban peso. Rachelis Gonzales summarised with irony: "29 million is 2 pizzas and a tukola". One internet user added: "You can't even sell 3 dollars peacefully anymore".
The case highlights the tension between police operations in Cuba and basic procedural guarantees, in a context where scarcity and inflation have radically altered the value of cash money.
Source: Google News CU — Crime