In these early years of my parents’ marriage, horrible news reached the family in Holguín

In these early years of my parents’ marriage, horrible news reached the family in Holguín. Pepe José, my grandmother’s brother had been murdered on his farm in El Pesquero.

He was one of the brothers who decided to stay and live in the country. They had wanted the fresh air and the simple life they were accustomed to. They referred to their houses, which were big, airy, and strong, as casones. They could care less that at night they had to use a commode or urinal, which they would have to empty into the outhouse latrine in the morning.

After my great-grandfather died, Pepe lived alone. Thieves knew that a lot of people kept money at their farms after harvest season, so farmers had ferocious dogs and guns to protect themselves and their property against criminal thugs. Pepe was no exception; but, strangely, Pepe’s dogs did not bark at all the night of the robbery.

Two armed thieves were able to make it right to the house. They were experienced robbers and knew what they were doing. One entered the house and told Pepe to get all his money. Pepe went directly to his bedroom making the robber believe he was going for the money, but he got his gun instead. He came out of the bedroom thinking he was only dealing with one man; but while he went to the bedroom, the other armed robber came inside and hid behind the door. Pepe shot the first robber dead. At this point, the intruder behind the door shot Pepe several times. The second thief managed to get away, but not before Pepe shot him.

Pepe lingered and then died a few days later. The thief survived the night in a plantain field by plugging his wounds with mud. He was arrested by the rural police, tried, and sentenced to life in prison. When Fidel took over, he emptied the jails and released my great uncle’s murderer.

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Dania Rosa Nasca
April 28, 2016