The General Directorate of Health in Santiago de Cuba has claimed that there were no signs of violence on the body of an elderly man found near a trash container at the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Surgical Hospital. Officials stated that the man was discovered in the early hours of Saturday, still alive, on the ground near a garbage disposal area close to his hospital ward. Despite being quickly moved to the emergency room and receiving intensive care, he did not survive.
This incident came to light through independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta, whose report contradicts the official account. Mayeta asserted that the elderly man was discovered in a critical condition after reportedly suffering a severe beating. He claimed the man died shortly after without receiving timely assistance.
In contrast, the official statement indicated, "There are no signs of violence on the body, suggesting that the trauma resulted from a fall." The government communication also criticized the spread of what it called "false information" on social media, emphasizing the need for official data to prevent misinformation and public alarm.
The independent journalist identified the victim as Alberto Fajardo Videaux, an 86-year-old from Guantánamo with no known family in the area. Preliminary medical reports cited severe cerebral hemorrhaging due to cranial fracture. According to Mayeta, witnesses and sources suggested that the death involved blunt force trauma, possibly indicating homicide.
The area where the incident occurred was reportedly cordoned off by the National Revolutionary Police and forensic teams. Witnesses noted there were no active surveillance cameras, and the corridor where the elderly man was attacked remained dark. "He died like a dog and was left there like trash," a hospital source lamented to the reporter.
It was also revealed that the family of the deceased had admitted him to the hospital but never returned.
Understanding the Controversial Incident at Santiago de Cuba Hospital
What was the official cause of death according to authorities?
Authorities claim that the cause of death was a severe cerebral hemorrhage due to cranial fracture, supposedly from a fall, with no signs of violence on the body.
How does the independent journalist's report differ from the official version?
The independent journalist, Yosmany Mayeta, reported that the elderly man was brutally beaten and died shortly after without aid, suggesting the cause of death might involve blunt force trauma.
Who was the elderly man found at the hospital?
The elderly man was identified as Alberto Fajardo Videaux, an 86-year-old from Guantánamo, with no known relatives in the Santiago de Cuba area.