A Cuban family has expressed their outrage over the desecration and vandalism of their family niches at Havana's Colón Cemetery. In a video shared online, they reveal the private area where the remains of their grandparents and other relatives are interred.
Ingrid Torres posted the video on Facebook this past Monday, tagging Gloria Ordaz and more than 20 others. The footage shows a man walking through the site, visibly distressed by the sight of completely destroyed niches, shattered covers, scattered bones, and funeral items discarded on the ground.
"Ingrid and I visited last Sunday. It was closed, and nothing was out of place. This must have happened during the week," the man explains while filming the scene.
The vandals attempted to break into the niches of the grandmother—affectionately called "Mima" by the family—and "Pipo," but were unsuccessful due to previous cement work. "Look at what they did to Mima's spot. They tried, but I had cemented it, so they couldn't get in," he says tearfully. However, other niches belonging to the grandfather and Uncle Julio suffered significant damage.
"This is the society we've created, the one they claim is good... yet there's no dignity, not even for the dead," the man laments, his voice filled with anguish.
Systemic Crisis and Its Impact on Cemetery Vandalism
Ingrid Torres added a poignant message to the video, linking the vandalism to the broader systemic crisis in Cuba: "There are no values or respect left, not even for the deceased. It's heartbreaking to see how humanity has degraded to this point." She highlighted that the vandalized area is a "private section within Colón Cemetery" where her paternal grandparents and other family members are laid to rest.
This incident isn't isolated. In April 2026, independent journalist Camila Acosta reported human remains found among rubble within Colón Cemetery. Earlier that year, musician Paulito FG's family also reported vandalism at his grave in the same location.
In February 2026, similar incidents were reported at the municipal cemetery in Mayabe, Holguín, where broken niches and exposed bones were discovered. By May, marble planters were stolen, and toys were destroyed at a child's grave in Pinar del Río.
The motivations behind these acts vary: theft of construction materials like marble, bronze, and iron, and in some cases, the theft of bones for use in Afro-Cuban religious practices. The economic crisis only exacerbates these issues by reducing security and institutional maintenance.
Historical and Cultural Significance Under Threat
Established in 1876 and recognized as a National Monument, the Cristóbal Colón Necropolis is Havana's primary cemetery and one of the most significant in Latin America. Despite its cultural and historical importance, the Cuban regime admitted in 2018 that the over 800 cemeteries across the nation were in a state of collapse. Since then, complaints have surged across all provinces, yet authorities have failed to provide effective solutions.
"We need to reclaim the Cuban spirit of 68 years ago: respectful, hardworking, steadfast, a fighter, and above all, family-oriented. Today in Cuba, it's all about survival," Torres concluded.
Understanding the Vandalism at Colón Cemetery
What sparked the family's public denunciation of vandalism at Colón Cemetery?
The family found their family niches vandalized, with destroyed covers and scattered bones, prompting them to share their distress and call for action on social media.
What are the motivations behind the vandalism at Cuban cemeteries?
The vandalism is often driven by theft of materials like marble, bronze, and iron, as well as the appropriation of bones for Afro-Cuban religious practices.
How does the economic crisis in Cuba affect cemetery maintenance?
The economic crisis has led to reduced security and maintenance, making cemeteries more vulnerable to vandalism and neglect.