The city of Manzanillo is in mourning this Tuesday following the tragic death of an 8-year-old boy, allegedly due to dengue hemorrhagic fever. In just three days, the illness claimed the life of Jorge Daniel Varela Veliz, the son of cultural promoter Yaquelin Veliz, who is well-known locally as the director of the children's project Colmenita Corazón Gigante.
The child's passing has ignited a wave of sorrow, outrage, and scrutiny regarding the health conditions in this region of Granma. Neighbors and acquaintances have publicly raised concerns about an uncollected garbage dump near the boy's home, which they believe may have facilitated the spread of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the vector for dengue. Only after this tragic event did local authorities dispatch a crew to clean the area, according to several Facebook posts.
"We all knew about the trash pile on the corner. They cleaned it up when it was too late," expressed a resident on social media.
Jorge Daniel, affectionately known as Jorgito, was remembered as a joyful, sensitive, charismatic, and energetic boy. His mother, Yaquelin Veliz, a pivotal figure in local culture and founder of Colmenita Corazón Gigante, has received an outpouring of support from colleagues, officials, and the entire community.
“Today, tears fall in the most beautiful hive. The queen bee suffers an immense, unbreakable pain. Jorgito was everyone's little brother,” wrote journalist Roberto Mesa Matos in a heartfelt social media post.
Community and Government Response
Senior officials from the Party and Government in Granma and Manzanillo, including Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, Yanetsy Terry Gutiérrez, Reynier Beltrán Sánchez, and Rocío Naranjo Figueredo, attended to offer their condolences, along with provincial and municipal Cultural directors.
This incident has reignited discussions about the dire health conditions across the country, where inadequate waste management, declining public health infrastructure, and a lack of systematic fumigation create a breeding ground for diseases like dengue. “Cuba is collapsing in health services, community services, and more. But it's unacceptable to ignore the epidemiological risk this poses without taking urgent action,” criticized one online user.
Sanitary Crisis and Health Risks
Like many other cities in the nation, Manzanillo is grappling with outbreaks of vector-borne diseases amid a structural crisis that has, for years, led to large piles of trash accumulating on street corners.
Jorge Daniel's funeral was a private ceremony attended by family, friends, and his mother's colleagues from the cultural sector.
Addressing Health and Sanitation Concerns in Manzanillo
What caused the death of the child in Manzanillo?
The child died allegedly due to dengue hemorrhagic fever, a severe and life-threatening form of dengue fever.
How did the community react to the boy's death?
The community expressed deep sorrow, anger, and raised concerns about the local health situation, particularly regarding the uncollected trash that may have contributed to the spread of the dengue-carrying mosquito.
What actions were taken by the authorities following this incident?
After the child's death, local authorities sent a cleanup crew to address the garbage issue near the home, though this action was taken too late according to residents.