"Ray Fernández Assaulted in Havana, Suffers Severe Injuries"

The Cuban troubadour Ray Fernández, also known by his stage name Ray Tun Tun, recently revealed on Facebook that he was violently attacked in Vedado, Havana. This brutal assault resulted in the loss of his teeth and multiple fractures to his face and skull.

Initially, Fernández did not specify the cause of his injuries in his social media post, but he hinted at a challenging ordeal: "Patience, friends, I'm still alive... I'll be back in the arena soon. Thanks to all the sisters and brothers who have supported me in this difficult time."

The seriousness of the incident became apparent in the comments section. When his friend Julio Ballester Guzmán inquired about what had happened, the troubadour candidly replied: "I was assaulted, lost my teeth, fractured my skull and face... I'm okay now, Miliciano."

More detailed information about the attack emerged from a private conversation between Fernández and the musician Dagoberto Pedraja, a seasoned Cuban guitarist and composer. Pedraja later shared a screenshot of their exchange on his Facebook page with the caption, "Rise up... The street belongs to the..."

Details of the Assault

In those messages, Fernández vividly recounted the event: "I was assaulted, lost my teeth, and suffered several fractures in my face and skull, but I'm back on my feet... It's crazy; the street has turned into a wild west."

According to fragments of that conversation, the assault took place at seven in the morning, just two blocks from his home, near the Centro Vasco on 4th Street, between 53rd and 55th, in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality, Vedado.

Fernández's comment about the street resembling a "western" is particularly striking given his background. In January 2020, he proudly declared himself a "proud communist militant" and later mocked the song "Patria y Vida" in February 2021. He also composed a décima praising Culture Minister Alpidio Alonso after an incident where the minister attacked an independent journalist.

Rising Crime in Havana

This attack on the troubadour highlights the ongoing deterioration of public safety in Cuba. The Cuban Observatory of Citizen Audit recorded 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, a staggering 115% increase from 2024, with 1,536 thefts and 398 crimes concentrated in Havana.

Vedado, the neighborhood where Fernández was attacked, has been particularly hard-hit. In June of this year, residents reported over 30 home burglaries within a single week in the area between Zapata and 23rd, and Paseo and 12th.

Other recent incidents include an armed robbery at an SME in San Miguel del Padrón in September and the theft of a Canadian tourist in La Rampa that same month.

Even the Ministry of the Interior has acknowledged a 25% rise in crimes, though independent organizations believe the actual numbers are significantly higher.