In the early hours of Sunday, Marcos Cuevas Sánchez tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident in the Trocha area of Santiago de Cuba.
The heartbreaking news was shared on Facebook by family and friends. Aris Arias Batalla, who oversees operations and rescue at the MINSAP in Santiago de Cuba, also verified the identity of the young man.
According to eyewitness accounts mentioned in social media posts, Marcos was riding his motorcycle without a helmet when he was hit by another vehicle.
Accompanying him was a young woman known as Roxana, nicknamed "la China." She survived the crash but remains hospitalized.
Adding insult to injury, someone seized the opportunity amid the accident chaos to steal their motorcycle and all their belongings.
The young man's untimely death leaves behind a baby, now fatherless, and a family shattered by grief.
His cousin, Israel Alejandro Gámez Fonseca, expressed his sorrow on Facebook with poignant words: "It is sad and painful to wake up to the news that you have left this world. You were and always will be more than a brother to me. Rest in peace."
Community Outcry Following Tragedy
Marcos's death has sparked a wave of public outcry. Aris Arias Batalla demanded action from the authorities: "Once again, we wake up to the news of a young life lost and several injured in a motorcycle accident in Trocha. This is not the first time, and regrettably, if we do not act, it will not be the last."
Batalla highlighted that for months, local residents have alerted the MININT and local government about illegal races and speeding, which turn this road into a hazardous zone, particularly during weekend early mornings, yet no effective action has been taken.
"Trocha and other main avenues are not race tracks; they are roads shared by families, children, the elderly, and workers. Every weekend, we play Russian roulette," he wrote.
In his post, Batalla is not calling for a ban on recreational activities, but rather for concrete measures: increased police presence during high-risk hours, speed controls, educational campaigns, and penalties for those organizing illegal races on avenues like Trocha, Carrera del Morro, Ferreiro, and Garzón.
Recurring Accidents Highlight Need for Action
So far, it has not been independently confirmed whether the deceased young man was participating in any motorcycle race.
This accident is not an isolated incident. In January, Félix Yoan Pozo Leyva, aged 28, died on the same Trocha street in a collision between two motorcycles.
On August 8, Leandry Osorio fell into a coma following an accident on the Ciudamar road, and a week later, Lonier Chacón Zamora was seriously injured in El Cobre.
The national scenario is equally concerning: in 2025, Cuba recorded 7,538 traffic accidents with 750 fatalities, compared to 634 deaths in 2024. Motorcycles and mopeds were involved in 63% of the accidents, resulting in 32% of the deaths and 42% of the injuries.
Understanding Motorcycle Accidents in Cuba
What contributed to Marcos Cuevas Sánchez's accident?
Eyewitnesses reported that Marcos was riding without a helmet and was struck by another vehicle, contributing to the fatal accident.
What measures are being suggested to prevent future accidents in Santiago de Cuba?
Aris Arias Batalla suggests increased police presence, speed controls, educational campaigns, and penalties for illegal racing as measures to prevent future accidents.
How prevalent are motorcycle accidents in Cuba?
Motorcycle accidents are alarmingly common, with motorcycles and mopeds involved in 63% of traffic accidents, causing 32% of deaths and 42% of injuries in Cuba.