A young Cuban man scaled a telecommunications tower belonging to ETECSA in the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud on Friday, sparking widespread concern and a flurry of discussions on social media platforms. While official confirmation from authorities is still pending, several videos circulating on Facebook groups captured the young man perched at a significant height, reportedly in the Franco and Gerona area, as noted by some users.
The shared footage revealed the individual at the tower's peak, devoid of any visible safety measures, underscoring the incident's severity. In one of the images, the young man's silhouette is clearly seen clinging to the metal structures of the antenna system. Another photograph seems to capture the moment his body hangs, aligning with reports of a suicide attempt by hanging.
At this point, authorities have not issued any official statements regarding the incident or the young man's current condition, whose identity has not yet been confirmed. In comments on a post in the Facebook group 'Compra y venta en la Isla de la Juventud', witnesses claimed the man attempted to take his own life using a noose. However, several individuals stated he was rescued with vital signs and transported to the local hospital.
"He has been brought down; he hanged himself but was still showing vital signs and was taken to the hospital," one commenter mentioned, while others noted, "he still had a pulse when they brought him down from the tower."
The absence of official information has led to conflicting accounts about the outcome. Some users mourn the event as a completed tragedy, while others hold hope that the young man is receiving medical care. Amidst the exchange of comments, several netizens called for respect and sensitivity regarding the situation. "This is no laughing matter; he has a family," wrote one user in response to those making jokes or unfounded speculations.
As of now, the young man has not been publicly identified, nor are the reasons behind his climb known. Several local users expressed concern about the emotional state of many individuals, particularly the youth, amid the challenging living conditions faced by the residents of Isla de la Juventud and Cuba in general, especially with the exacerbation of the energy crisis.
CiberCuba will continue to monitor this case and provide updates as official confirmation about the young man's condition or the circumstances surrounding the event becomes available.
Other Incidents: ETECSA Towers as Scenes of Desperation
Although isolated, such events are not entirely unprecedented in Cuba. In recent years, several similar incidents have occurred, particularly in Cienfuegos, where ETECSA towers have become venues for desperate protests or individual acts of despair. In December 2022, a young man climbed a tower in that province to protest against power outages, shouting messages against the government.
In February 2025, another case shook the Cienfuegos community when a Cuban man ascended an antenna for over an hour before descending unharmed. A week later, it was revealed that he was a young man with psychiatric issues and a complex personal history.
Many interpret these episodes as expressions of the growing social and emotional unrest affecting parts of the Cuban population, set against a backdrop of economic crisis, scarcity, and deteriorating mental health, especially among the youth.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuba
What triggered the young man to climb the ETECSA tower?
The specific reasons behind the young man's decision to climb the tower are not clear at this time, as authorities have not released any official statements regarding his motives or identity.
How have ETECSA towers been used in past protests?
In recent years, ETECSA towers have been sites for protests and acts of desperation. For instance, in December 2022, a young man protested power outages by climbing a tower and shouting against the government.
What is the current situation of the young man?
As of the latest updates, the young man was brought down from the tower with vital signs and transported to the hospital, though his current condition remains unknown due to the lack of official information.