The family of Yoan Cruz Traba, a 50-year-old Cuban man with psychiatric issues who was reported missing by his family on June 5, has revealed that he died in a Havana hospital without any notification from the authorities. Yoel Cruz, Yoan's brother, shared on Facebook that Yoan went missing on June 2, and he officially reported it to the Aguilera Police Station in Santos Suárez on June 5, after noticing that Yoan, who wasn't aggressive and was off his medication, had left home and did not return.
Yoel continuously posted messages on social media and sought assistance from hospitals and health centers but to no avail. He recounted that an anonymous hospital staff member informed him that on June 18, Yoan was admitted to Julio Trigo Hospital, allegedly transferred from the Homeless Care Center in a severely malnourished state, suffering from gastroenteritis and a heart complication.
No one from the hospital or the police informed the family during or after his hospitalization. On July 4, during a blood donation, the police contacted Yoel inquiring if he had any news about his brother. Tragically, that same day, which also marked Yoan's 50th birthday, he passed away in the hospital. "I hold Díaz-Canel, the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), and the Homeless Center accountable for his death. They all knew how to reach me, yet no one did," Yoel publicly declared on social media.
Yoel discovered his brother's death through his relentless efforts, not through any official channels. It wasn't until July 21 that he was informed about Yoan's hospitalization and that he had died 17 days earlier, which intensified his frustration. Yoan suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and personality disorders, but he was neither aggressive nor a threat, despite lacking medical treatment due to the island's medication shortages.
The family believes that timely intervention or notification could have prevented this lonely and negligent death. This incident highlights the lack of coordination among Cuban institutions, the neglect of individuals with mental health conditions, and the absence of effective protocols to inform families during critical situations. "This government doesn't care for us as a people," Yoel stated from a Havana cemetery, concluding his public denunciation.
FAQs on the Tragic Death of Yoan Cruz Traba
What were the circumstances of Yoan Cruz Traba's disappearance?
Yoan Cruz Traba disappeared on June 2, and his family reported him missing on June 5 after noticing he had left home and did not return.
How did Yoel Cruz find out about his brother's death?
Yoel Cruz discovered his brother's death through his own investigations and persistence, not through any official notification from the authorities.
What health conditions did Yoan suffer from?
Yoan Cruz suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and personality disorders but was not aggressive or dangerous.
What does Yoel Cruz blame for his brother's death?
Yoel Cruz holds the Cuban government, the PNR, and the Homeless Center responsible for his brother's death due to their failure to notify the family and provide timely intervention.