In mid-July, the Eliseo Noel Caamaño Pediatric Hospital faced one of the most harrowing incidents of the year when a two-year-old was admitted in critical condition. The child showed signs of physical abuse, high fever, respiratory distress, and septic shock, requiring immediate intensive care. Despite three days of relentless medical efforts, the child did not survive. This tragic case shook the medical community, the public, and ignited discussions on social media about the severity of child abuse in the province.
According to Dr. Liliana Álvarez Caride, the assistant medical director, four children have been treated for abuse in Matanzas hospitals so far in 2025, surpassing the three cases reported for the whole of 2024. Although fatal outcomes are not common, the issue raises concerns not only due to physical injuries but also because of the social, cultural, and psychological factors involved.
Unveiling Hidden Dangers
Experts warn that many hospital admissions labeled as “accidents” may actually be cases of negligence or violence. Dr. Eldalina Rodríguez Hernández, a seasoned pediatric care specialist, claims that 99% of childhood accidents are preventable.
"A television falling on a toddler, a near-drowning in a pool, or a domestic fall often result from lack of supervision or carelessness," she told Periódico Girón. Statistics back this up: 616 children were reported injured in accidents in 2024, and already 350 have been recorded this year, alongside the four confirmed abuse cases. These incidents often blend together, with recurring injuries, unconvincing explanations from parents, and various stages of healing revealing tales of violence hidden behind supposed accidents.
Various Forms of Child Abuse
Child abuse extends beyond physical harm. It can manifest as sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, psychological violence, or even Munchausen syndrome by proxy, where an adult fabricates or induces symptoms in a child to keep them hospitalized. Pediatric intensivist Lázaro Omar Méndez Mederos notes that they encounter more cases annually than official figures suggest.
"In intensive care, we've treated two children this year with severe physical abuse. These situations are challenging because there's always a story of suffering and abuse behind the clinical picture. However, our priority is to save the child's life," he stated.
The Cultural Roots of Violence
Specialists agree that child abuse in Cuba often stems from cultural and familial roots. Many parents replicate authoritarian upbringing models they experienced as children, and violence remains normalized as a disciplinary method.
"The belt and the sandal are not therapies; they are abuse," Dr. Eldalina stressed, warning that both physical punishment and verbal humiliation damage children's self-esteem and emotional development. Violence frequently originates in the home, amid poverty, stress, gender violence, or alcoholism. Psychologist Anelkys Reyes Domínguez mentioned that signs of abuse could even appear during pregnancy if the child is unwanted. She also pointed out that repeated insults and belittling—calling a child "stupid," yelling about their schoolwork—have profound and lasting psychological effects.
Her colleague Diadenis Romero Morales added that emotional scars are not always immediately visible but may lead to withdrawal, low self-esteem, self-destructive behaviors, or perpetuating the cycle of violence in the future. "An abused child can become an abusive adult," she cautioned.
Institutional Measures and Legal Challenges
When hospital staff suspect abuse, a protocol involving the police, prosecution, and other organizations is activated based on a formal complaint. However, Dr. Norge Estupiñán Rodríguez, a legal medicine expert, acknowledged the existence of underreporting. The failure to issue initial medical certificates and the tendency to accept parents' accounts prevent many cases from reaching legal authorities.
From a legal perspective, prosecutor Alina Domínguez García noted that the Penal Code does not explicitly classify child abuse as a separate crime, though it does penalize physical or psychological harm, child neglect, and other actions detrimental to children's development. Additionally, family laws allow for the removal of parental responsibility in cases of violence against children.
The Path Forward: Prevention is Key
Despite legal backing and medical responses, experts emphasize prevention as the true solution. Community work through primary health care, monitoring at-risk families, parent education, and vigilance by neighbors, teachers, and local authorities are essential.
Projects like Arcoiris, which focus on the psychological support of sexual abuse victims, aim to support children and prevent future trauma. Educating children in schools about respecting their bodies, recognizing risky situations, and speaking out without fear is also crucial. Each case of child abuse serves as a reminder that violence against the most vulnerable should never be normalized or go unpunished. As Dr. Eldalina remarked, "Blows don't teach, insults destroy."
Understanding Child Abuse Dynamics in Cuba
What are the common causes of child abuse in Cuba?
Child abuse in Cuba often has cultural and familial origins, where parents replicate authoritarian upbringing models. It is also normalized as a disciplinary method, especially in environments of poverty, stress, gender violence, or alcoholism.
How is child abuse addressed legally in Cuba?
While the Penal Code in Cuba does not identify child abuse as a standalone crime, it does punish physical or psychological harm, neglect, and actions that hinder child development. Family laws can also revoke parental rights in cases of violence.
What are some warning signs of potential child abuse?
Warning signs may include recurrent injuries, unconvincing parental explanations, and signs of different stages of healing. Emotional signs like withdrawal, low self-esteem, or self-destructive behaviors may also indicate abuse.