A soldier from the Guantanamo Border Brigade reportedly lost an arm following a serious accident that took place this Tuesday while he was on duty at the military unit located in eastern Cuba, according to unofficial reports. Due to the severity of his injuries, the young serviceman was urgently airlifted to the "Joaquín Castillo Duany" Military Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, based on information obtained by journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who broke the story.
The incident occurred at the Western Battalion of the Border Brigade, which is part of the Cuban Armed Forces and consists of soldiers serving mandatory military service, required for young men. This unit is adjacent to the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo. "As of now, there have been no official statements regarding the accident's cause or the soldier's current condition, though it is known that his prognosis is critical," noted Mayeta in a post on social media.
The name of the injured soldier has not yet been disclosed. This unfortunate event is part of a series of severe incidents reported in military units across the country, resulting in injuries or fatalities among young recruits and officers. These occurrences have highlighted the lack of safety within the FAR (Revolutionary Armed Forces) facilities, in addition to the regime's failure to provide transparent information about the causes and circumstances of such events.
In 2025 alone, at least 13 young men have died while fulfilling their Active Military Service, a mandatory requirement imposed by the regime on males starting at age 17. The year began with tragedy when explosions at a military warehouse in the town of Melones, located in Rafael Freyre municipality, Holguín, claimed the lives of 13 people, including nine recruit soldiers and four officers. The Cuban government has yet to account for the causes and responsible parties of the incident that took so many young lives and plunged numerous families into mourning.
Four months later, Léster Álvarez, a young man allegedly took his own life while serving his military duty in Ariza prison, in the province of Cienfuegos. In July, an 18-year-old from the community of El Gabriel, in the Quivicán municipality, Mayabeque, also died while stationed at the military unit under circumstances that sparked widespread outrage and grief among family members and acquaintances.
Just a month later, Antonio Rassi, aged 18, lost his life at the El Calvario Military Unit in Havana, reportedly due to self-inflicted harm. His mother, Mercedes Roque, has publicly demanded a transparent investigation and accountability from the unit's officers where the incident occurred. In August, Lázaro Daniel Monteros, a 19-year-old from Ciego de Ávila, died while fulfilling his military service at the El Morro unit in Havana.
Recently, Alberto Horrutinier Sánchez, father of Yorgenis Horrutinier Rodríguez, aged 18, reported that his son nearly lost his vision after an accidental shooting during a military training exercise in Havana. Over the years, victims of this mandatory program have increased, whether due to accidents, untreated illnesses, suicides, or abuses within military units.
Key Incidents in Cuba's Military Service
What happened to the soldier in Guantanamo?
A soldier from the Guantanamo Border Brigade suffered a severe accident, resulting in the loss of an arm, while on duty. He was airlifted to a military hospital due to the seriousness of his injuries.
How many young recruits have died in 2025 during military service in Cuba?
In 2025, at least 13 young recruits have died while fulfilling their mandatory military service in Cuba.
What was the cause of the explosion in Melones?
The cause of the explosion in Melones, which resulted in the death of 13 individuals, remains unaccounted for by the Cuban government.