An elderly man was discovered deceased on a bustling street in Santiago de Cuba on Thursday morning, a situation that has sparked shock and anger among local residents. Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada reported on Facebook that the body was found lying on Avenida Patria, a crucial thoroughfare that links two symbolic locations of the Cuban regime: Plaza de la Revolución and the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, where the ashes of dictator Fidel Castro rest.
The man collapsed in the early hours near the well-known "Calle del Fuego." However, even after 9:00 a.m., his body remained at the scene, merely covered with plastic, with no official removal taking place. Witnesses and local residents criticized the prolonged delay by forensic authorities, leaving the scene exposed to the view of drivers, pedestrians, and inhabitants of one of the city's busiest areas.
In the comments section, several online users expressed outrage over the regime's increasing delays in handling such incidents. Mileidis Hernández Pérez commented, "I work close by and passed right by the deceased around 7:20 in the morning. He was already covered, and a patrol car with two officers was waiting for what seemed like the legal medicine team. They picked him up around 9 something. Poor man, he seemed homeless based on his clothing; who knows what happened to him."
This incident occurred shortly after a 67-year-old man died suddenly outside the Ministry of the Interior's (MININT) Processing Unit in the José Martí Urban Center of Santiago de Cuba, specifically in Micro 9, where he planned to renew his identity card. The pro-government page Héroes del Moncada posted on Facebook that the citizen, living in building U38 near the unit, began experiencing precordial pain while waiting and died unexpectedly on-site.
His family mentioned he suffered from diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease, as highlighted by the regime's spokesperson. The legal physician confirmed that the death was natural, and around 10:00 a.m., the funeral vehicle transported the body for the family to arrange the funeral.
Nevertheless, journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared on Facebook that a heavy police operation cordoned off the area. According to neighbors, officers prevented any photo documentation of the scene, limiting public awareness of the situation. A leaked image showed the body draped with a white sheet behind a motorcycle, confirming a controlled perimeter around the event.
Residents voiced concern not only about the sudden death but also about the authorities' handling of the situation in a public space, highlighting the strict surveillance and lack of transparency, as Mayeta pointed out.
This Tuesday, Santiago de Cuba experienced another grim event when a decomposed human head was discovered in a trash container in the Abel Santamaría Urban Center, also known as "El Sala´o," specifically in Micro 3.
Key Concerns in Santiago de Cuba
What caused the elderly man's death in Santiago de Cuba?
The exact cause of the elderly man's death is not specified in the reports, but he was found deceased on a busy avenue in Santiago de Cuba.
How did the authorities respond to the situation?
Authorities were criticized for their delayed response, as the body remained uncovered for hours, and there was a lack of transparency due to police controlling the scene.
What other incidents occurred in Santiago de Cuba recently?
Recently, a 67-year-old man died suddenly outside a government office, and a decomposed human head was found in a trash container, both in Santiago de Cuba.