The troubling theft of a tombstone from the cemetery in Camagüey was publicly reported this Tuesday by a woman on social media after discovering that her father's grave marker had been stolen. The report was made by Marlynln PS on the Facebook group Revolico Camagüey, where she recounted that her daughter and mother visited the cemetery to commemorate the deceased's birthday, only to find the tombstone missing.
She noted that just a month ago the grave was undisturbed, indicating the theft occurred during that period. "What on earth are the guards doing there? I might as well think they're the ones stealing them. Cuba is a total disaster; there is no respect for anything or anyone, and the misery, lack of values, and humanity have taken over everyone," she wrote, visibly outraged.
In her post, she also directed a message at those responsible: "If you were the one who stole my father's tombstone, I only hope the money you earned from selling it is spent on medicine, and that it's not enough. I can buy another tombstone for my father, make no mistake about that."
This incident highlights a growing trend in Cuban cemeteries, where tombstones and marble are frequently stolen for resale on the black market, along with metals and other components that end up in illegal foundries. The absence of vigilant security, corruption among guards, and the country's dire conditions have turned these resting places into easy targets for theft.
Beyond the material loss, such actions inflict profound emotional pain on families who come to honor their deceased only to find that their loved ones cannot even rest in peace. The theft of a tombstone from the Camagüey cemetery adds to a series of incidents showing that even the dead are not immune to Cuba's ongoing crisis.
It is not an isolated case. In December of the previous year, ongoing thefts and desecrations of graves were confirmed, with marble and metals being extracted for illegal resale or smelting. Reports point to both the lack of surveillance and potential complicity of the guards in these crimes.
Back in September 2024, Camagüey residents had already raised alarms over the neglected state of the local cemetery, with open graves and exposed bones left to the elements. Images circulating at the time highlighted a deterioration that turned cemeteries into places of desolation rather than contemplation.
A similar situation is seen in other provinces. In July, official media acknowledged that another Cuban cemetery was in ruins, with destroyed graves, overgrown vegetation, and a lack of basic maintenance. This state admission confirmed what locals had been reporting on social media for months: the widespread neglect of final resting places.
Cemetery Conditions and Theft in Cuba
What has been reported about thefts in Cuban cemeteries?
Reports indicate frequent thefts of tombstones and marble for black market resale, as well as the extraction of metals for illegal foundries, exacerbated by inadequate security and potential complicity of guards.
How have families been affected by these thefts?
Families experience deep emotional distress when they find that even in death, their loved ones cannot rest peacefully due to the theft and desecration of graves.
What is the state of cemeteries across Cuba?
Many cemeteries are in a state of disrepair with open graves, overgrown vegetation, and a lack of maintenance, reflecting a broader issue of neglect and abandonment.