The grieving mother of young Cuban Antonio Rassi Roque, who tragically passed away in August 2025 while serving in the Mandatory Military Service (MMS), has once again taken to social media to express her heartache and call for accountability.
Mercedes Roque shared her sorrow on Facebook, stating, "He just wanted to live, achieve his goals, and enjoy his life, friends, and family... He wasn't ready to rest yet." In her emotional post, she holds the MMS structure accountable for her son's untimely death and demands that the incident not be forgotten.
Antonio Rassi, who was only 18, died on August 18, 2025, at the El Calvario Military Unit in Havana. While official reports claim he took his own life, his mother argues that his death was influenced by conditions within the military unit.
Allegations of Negligence and Lack of Transparency
Since the incident, Mercedes Roque has publicly decried alleged negligence, a lack of concern for her son's emotional state, and the hurdles she faced in obtaining clear information about the circumstances of his death.
She asserts that she was never informed of Antonio's condition, despite other recruits reportedly noticing his physical and emotional decline. Following his death, she also faced challenges accessing the military unit and receiving official explanations.
"Something happened," insists the grieving mother, recalling the last phone call with her son before his guard duty, just hours prior to his death.
To date, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) has not released a detailed public statement regarding the incident.
A Broader Issue Within the MMS
Antonio Rassi's case is one of several tragic deaths of young recruits during their compulsory military service, a program enforced in Cuba since 1963.
According to reports from the independent outlet elTOQUE, at least seven recruits died between July and August 2025 while serving, due to causes such as accidents, untreated illnesses, suicides, and alleged abuses.
Félix Alfredo González, the father of another recruit who died in 2021, has criticized the authorities for their lack of accountability and reparations to the families. "The government turns a deaf ear," he said.
Recently, another 18-year-old died in Mayabeque, with family complaints indicating he suffered severe physical distress for days without receiving adequate medical care.
Growing Criticism of the Military Service
Independent organizations and recruit families are increasingly questioning the mandatory nature of the service, arguing that the MMS has become a hazardous environment for adolescents and young adults.
Meanwhile, Mercedes Roque persists in her quest for justice. "Not as an activist or opponent," she stated, "but as a Cuban mother who sent her son healthy and received him back dead."
Key Questions Surrounding the Military Service in Cuba
What is the Mandatory Military Service in Cuba?
The Mandatory Military Service (MMS) in Cuba is a compulsory program requiring young men to serve in the military. It has been in effect since 1963.
Why are there criticisms against the MMS in Cuba?
Critics argue that the MMS poses significant risks to young recruits, citing issues such as negligence, lack of medical care, and harsh conditions that have led to several deaths.
What actions have families taken regarding alleged abuses in the MMS?
Families, like that of Antonio Rassi, have publicly denounced the lack of accountability and transparency, demanding justice and reforms to prevent further tragedies.