A Cuban man who had been missing for nearly seven months was discovered dead at Havana's Psychiatric Hospital, commonly known as Mazorra. The man was found in a state of severe malnutrition and showed signs of mistreatment, according to reports from his family and neighbors.
Residing in the 10 de Octubre municipality, the man was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Despite neighbors informing the driver of a state vehicle that he had family, he was taken from the street by a government transport meant for the homeless, as stated by his son on Facebook.
His family embarked on an exhaustive search, visiting police stations and mental health facilities, including Mazorra itself, where they initially denied his admission. "After six or seven months, they contacted us to say he had passed away. He was just skin and bones, bruised—they killed him," his son declared on social media.
The son emphasized that although the man spent considerable time outside, he had a home, food, and basic care. He also noted the absence of medication in the country to manage his condition. The lack of resources and drugs exacerbated his mental health issues, yet he was a harmless and beloved figure in the community.
"They hid him, denied his presence, and when he finally surfaced, it was too late. This highlights the abuse that patients suffer in these institutions. There's no humanity here," his son lamented.
This case echoes a similar incident months ago that outraged many Cubans. Relatives of Yoan Cruz Traba, a 50-year-old man with psychiatric conditions missing since June 5, reported that he died in a Havana hospital without the authorities notifying the family.
Yoel Cruz publicly denounced on Facebook that his brother disappeared on June 2, and he filed an official report on June 5 at the Aguilera Police Station in Santos Suárez after realizing Yoan—who was neither aggressive nor receiving medical treatment—had left home and not returned.
Yoel recounted that an anonymous hospital staff member informed him that his brother was admitted to Julio Trigo Hospital on June 18, allegedly transferred from a Homeless Assistance Center, suffering from severe malnutrition, gastroenteritis, and a cardiac complication. Neither the hospital nor the police informed the family during his stay there.
On July 4, while donating blood, the police contacted Yoel to inquire if he had any news about his brother. Tragically, on the same day, which also marked Yoan's 50th birthday, he passed away in the hospital.
Understanding the Plight of Missing Individuals in Cuba
Why are missing persons cases in Cuba often unresolved?
Many cases remain unresolved due to systemic issues in communication and resource allocation within Cuban institutions. The lack of transparency and accountability in state-run facilities often leads to families being uninformed of their loved ones' whereabouts.
What are the challenges faced by families searching for missing relatives in Cuba?
Families face numerous challenges, including limited access to information, bureaucratic hurdles, and inadequate support from law enforcement. These obstacles can delay search efforts and complicate the process of locating missing individuals.