Cuban troubadour Ray Fernández, affectionately known as "Ray Tun Tun," has shared his recovery journey following a vicious assault he endured recently in Vedado, Havana. In a candid Facebook message, he declared, "Stitched-up head and brand-new teeth. I'm back on the streets."
Accompanying his post was a selfie that showed him smiling, reassuring fans that he is now safe after suffering the loss of teeth and multiple fractures to his face and skull.
Expressing gratitude, Ray wrote, "Friends are life's greatest treasure. Thank you to all my dear ones. I'm back on the streets. I've always been and will always be an open book," he announced on his Facebook profile.
The musician also addressed his attackers and those who took pleasure in his misfortune, stating, "To those responsible for the attack and to those who find joy in my distress, may the Lord forgive you."
The incident took place several days ago at around 7:00 a.m., just two blocks from his home, near the Centro Vasco on 4th Street between 53rd and 55th in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality.
The Unsettling Details of the Assault
More harrowing details of the assault came to light through a private conversation between Fernández and guitarist Dagoberto Pedraja, who shared a screenshot of their exchange on social media. In his message, Fernández recounted the attack bluntly: "I was mugged, lost my teeth, and suffered multiple fractures to my face and skull, but I'm back on my feet... It's crazy, the streets are like the Wild West."
This incident carries a note of irony: the artist, who proudly declared himself a "dedicated communist" in January 2020 and even penned a poem praising Culture Minister Alpidio Alonso after he assaulted an independent journalist, now finds himself a victim of the rampant crime affecting the entire nation.
Back in May, he subtly criticized the ongoing power outages with the remark: "Fidel is Fidel! Raúl is Raúl! And this blackout has no name!"
The Surge of Crime in Cuba
Fernández's assault highlights the continuous decline in safety across Cuba. The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory (OCAC) reported 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, marking a 115% increase compared to 2024, which included 1,536 robbery cases and 398 crimes concentrated in Havana.
The Ministry of the Interior has acknowledged a 25% increase in crime, though independent organizations suggest that the actual numbers are much higher.
The OCAC's Public Insecurity Report for the first half of this year recorded 985 crimes from January to June, compared to 1,319 during the same period in 2025. The report notes that the 25.3% decrease is unreliable due to reporting constraints in Cuba.
"Their statistics are underreported, based only on incidents that become public, and in 2026, prolonged blackouts, connectivity issues, and the deteriorating information ecosystem have reduced the ability to document them," the report specifies.
Vedado, the location of the attack, has been particularly affected: last June, local residents reported over 30 home burglaries in a single week.
Understanding Crime and Safety in Cuba
What injuries did Ray Fernández suffer from the attack?
Ray Fernández suffered the loss of teeth and multiple fractures to his face and skull during the attack.
Where did the assault on Ray Fernández take place?
The assault occurred near the Centro Vasco on 4th Street between 53rd and 55th, in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality, just two blocks from his residence.
How has crime in Cuba changed in recent years?
Crime in Cuba has increased significantly, with a reported 115% rise in verified crimes in 2025 compared to 2024, with a notable concentration in Havana.