Cuban-American murdered in stabbing attack in Havana apartment; suspect sought from Santiago
George Urguelles, 82 years old, died following an attack with a blade weapon in his Havana apartment. The crime is believed to be linked to the theft of money and valuables.
Cuban-American stabbed to death in Havana; suspect allegedly fled with accomplice
George Urguelles, an 82-year-old Cuban-American resident normally living in the United States, was stabbed to death in his Havana apartment in the early hours of Wednesday 7 October 2026. According to periodococubano.com, the crime is believed to be related to the theft of money and valuables.
The crime occurred around three in the morning. Accounts collected by the platform NiO Reportando Un Crimen indicate that the attacker allegedly pressed a pillow against Urguelles' face while attacking him with a blade weapon. Despite the wounds, the victim managed to leave the apartment and reach his neighbours' door to seek help. A source indicates that before dying he provided information about his attacker. Residents alerted the authorities and requested medical assistance, but Urguelles died before being taken to hospital.
Initial reports place the crime in the Nela building, on Requena Street between Carlos III and Maloja, in Centro Habana, although the most recent publication from NiO locates the residence in El Vedado.
Profile of the victim and possible motive
People close to Urguelles described a man with a wide circle of personal relationships who divided his residence between Cuba and the United States, spending approximately three months in Havana and one in the United States. He worked in the antiques business and owned numerous works of art in his residence. According to accounts—not independently corroborated—he owned two properties in Cuba and two automobiles, in addition to handling significant amounts of cash.
Neighbours and people close to the deceased reported the alleged disappearance of approximately one million Cuban pesos, mobile phones, watches and a gold chain valued at some 10,000 dollars. Money stored in a safe was also mentioned, though the exact amount has not been established. It is unknown whether any work of art or antique was stolen.
The suspect and a possible accomplice
NiO Reportando Un Crimen initially identified a young man from Santiago de Cuba, with residence in Guanabacoa, as the possible person responsible. The media received a photograph attributed to the individual, but clarified that it does not know his full name, age and whereabouts. His identity has not been confirmed by the authorities.
Accounts identify the possible attacker as someone who frequented Urguelles' apartment. Access to the residence required security keys, which raises the possibility that the suspect entered with authorisation or with a copy of the keys. According to a new account, a woman allegedly waited for the alleged attacker in the lower part of the building while the assault was taking place; both allegedly left the building after the crime. The identity of that person and their possible involvement in the facts has not so far been determined.
Earlier information indicated that Urguelles had reported his alleged romantic partner for an attempted robbery, although he subsequently withdrew the accusation at the request of the young man's parents.
Investigation under way
Officers of the National Revolutionary Police and specialists from the Ministry of the Interior carried out investigations in the building to gather evidence. At the close of Thursday 8 October there was no official confirmation of arrests, forensic results or the identity of the person responsible. The hypothesis of an economic motive remains under investigation. NiO Reportando Un Crimen warned that the new details come from sources close to the case and remain pending independent verification.
Context of violence in Havana
The murder of Urguelles adds to a series of violent incidents recorded in 2026 in the Cuban capital. A review of press reports and reports from independent organisations identified at least 30 victims of homicides and alleged murders in different municipalities in Havana between February and 8 October 2026. The report on criminality in Cuba during the first half of the year documented 90 murders throughout the country, of which 12 occurred in the capital, a figure that represents a national increase of 42.9 per cent compared to the same period the previous year.
Source: Google News CU — La Habana