A Cuban family, living for years under dire conditions, is on the brink of a tragedy that has them fearing for their lives.
Lázaro Junier del Castillo, a 38-year-old father, has publicly raised alarm over the severe risks his six children face at the "Solidarity" shelter in Arroyo Naranjo, Havana, following violent episodes involving the children's mother.
According to his account, shared with Martí Noticias, authorities have been aware of the situation for months but have yet to take effective measures to safeguard the children despite the seriousness of the incidents.
"Nothing will change here until a child dies," he told the media outlet with frustration.
Del Castillo claims that since the couple's separation three months ago, the children's mother, Dariannis Silvera, 37, has made multiple aggressive attempts against the minors, including death threats.
"She started threatening the kids... she came at them with a knife, and my eldest had to take it away," the father recounted.
He also reported another incident where the woman allegedly threw hot water at them.
Faced with these events, he lodged a formal complaint in September at the El Capri police station, recorded as number 71054.
However, he asserts that neither the police nor the juvenile authorities have taken action.
"El Capri has done nothing, and no one has taken any steps. Here, until a child dies or she kills one, nothing will happen," he expressed in desperation.
Martí Noticias attempted to reach the police unit for an update on the case but received no response.
Challenging Family Dynamics: Six Children, Two with Disabilities
Lázaro Junier del Castillo is solely responsible for his six children, including a teenager with an intellectual disability and a two-year-old with hearing impairment, which adds further complexity to their precarious situation.
The family has been residing for seven years at the temporary "Solidarity" shelter, located at kilometer 15.5 on the Managua highway.
More than 20 families and over 50 children live in this facility, some having been there for up to a decade, awaiting permanent housing solutions.
Overcrowding is compounded by poor conditions: structural decay, cramped spaces, and a lack of water due to a broken motor, a problem the father claims remains unresolved despite numerous attempts for assistance.
"I've gone to the government, tried to see the council president, and no one has addressed my issue. No one has come, even to ask, 'Lázaro, what's going on?'" he lamented.
The Health System Crisis: Suicide Attempt and Lack of Resources
The crisis reached a critical juncture last weekend when Dariannis Silvera allegedly attempted suicide by threatening to jump from the third floor of the shelter.
She was taken to Julio Trigo hospital, but according to her former partner, the facility did not have the necessary medication to treat her.
"The doctor told me, 'Look, I don't have the medication to give you for her.' The medication had to be brought from home," he explained.
Del Castillo fears that she may leave the hospital and return to the shelter in a disturbed state, once again endangering the children.
He insists that the mother is suffering from a temporary depressive crisis, exacerbated by their harsh living conditions.
Legal Delays and the Urgent Need for Custody Resolution
The father is still awaiting a court date to secure legal custody of the minors, a delay he finds unacceptable given the urgency of their situation.
"I hope they grant me custody... because, really, they have no one else but me," he stated.
Meanwhile, the children continue to live in the same environment, without a protection order, provisional custody, or safety assurances.
Public Outcry: Concern, Pain, and Calls for Action
The case has sparked a wave of reactions on social media.
Many users expressed anguish over the children's fate and agreed that the priority must be to protect them, regardless of the mother's legal status.
Several noted that the woman is "not in her right mind" and urgently requires psychiatric care, while others pointed to institutional neglect, lack of medication, and the failure to protect children in Cuba.
Comments also highlighted that such situations are not isolated incidents but reflect a deep social crisis marked by extreme poverty, lack of basic services, and absence of state response.
The "Solidarity" shelter has become a symbol of social decay in vulnerable areas of Havana. Entire families have survived there for years without housing solutions, with children growing up in what many describe as inhumane conditions.
Residents insist that there is no systematic oversight of the children's situation or evaluation of the psychosocial risks they face.
A Tragedy Foretold: Systemic Failures and Urgent Questions
The case of Lázaro Junier del Castillo and his six children lays bare an alarming reality: a mix of economic crisis, mental health system collapse, bureaucracy, and child neglect.
As the father pleads for help and complaints mount, the children still await an intervention that could prevent an irreversible disaster.
The pressing and haunting question remains: How many more signs are needed for the authorities to act before it's too late?
Addressing Child Protection Issues in Cuba
What are the living conditions like at the "Solidarity" shelter in Havana?
The "Solidarity" shelter is marked by overcrowding, structural decay, and a lack of basic amenities such as water, creating inhumane living conditions for families awaiting permanent housing solutions.
How has the Cuban government responded to the situation of Lázaro Junier del Castillo's children?
Despite being informed of the risks faced by the children, the authorities have not taken effective measures to ensure their safety, leaving the family in a precarious situation.
What steps has Lázaro Junier del Castillo taken to protect his children?
He has lodged a formal complaint with the police and is seeking legal custody of his children to ensure their protection, but has faced delays and inaction from the authorities.