Police Shooting in Camagüey Leaves Teenage Boy Wounded: MININT's Explanation

A 14-year-old boy was shot in the city of Camagüey during an incident that occurred late Tuesday night. The bullet came from the service weapon of a National Revolutionary Police (PNR) officer, who also injured himself in the process, according to a statement from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT). The ministry described the shooting as an "accident" that took place during an attempted arrest.

The official statement noted, "Preliminary reports indicate that both the officer and the minor were accidentally injured when the officer's weapon discharged accidentally." The wounded teenager was rushed to the Eduardo Agramonte Piña Provincial Children's Hospital, where he underwent surgery. He is currently conscious, and his life is reportedly not at risk.

The same report claims the boy was carrying a knife and resisted arrest. The adolescent was labeled as having "poor social behavior." At the time of his arrest, he had no identification documents, and it was later confirmed that he is monitored by the Provincial Council for Minor's Attention in Camagüey for repeated legal offenses deemed criminal.

The involved officer also received medical treatment. Authorities assert that immediate assistance was provided to the child, and his family was offered support. Investigations are ongoing to ensure a "complete clarification" of the events.

Community Outcry: A Shot Teen and Hospital Under Surveillance

Before the official statement was released, independent reports circulated stating a 13-year-old boy was rushed to the Pediatric Hospital in Camagüey after being shot in the hip or thigh area, as detailed by journalist Jose Luis Tan Estrada on social media. "The hospital and surrounding streets are heavily guarded by police, state security agents, and party officials," the journalist reported.

The overwhelming security presence at the hospital, coupled with the lack of official information for hours, created an environment of alarm and suspicion among residents.

Shock and Disbelief: Initial Reactions

Social media became the primary outlet for discussion before the Ministry of the Interior released their statement. Numerous users expressed shock and condemned what appeared to be another instance of police violence.

"A 13-year-old child can be subdued without the need for bullets," one user commented, echoing a widely held sentiment. Others criticized the increasingly repressive nature of Cuba's police force, pointing out that even minors aren't safe. "This isn't security, it's brutality," read multiple posts.

Questions arose about why the hospital was surrounded by security forces and whether this was to protect the injured boy or to intimidate his family. The lack of transparency, narrative control, and fear of repercussions were cited as symptoms of a system where institutional violence rarely faces public inquiry or punishment.

While some attempted to rationalize the incident as a confrontation with a violent minor, the consensus remained that no situation justifies shooting a child. "What if it was your child?" another user asked, capturing the emotional tone dominating online conversations.

MININT's official statement has attempted to downplay the severity of the incident by labeling it as accidental.