A young Cuban woman posted a heart-wrenching plea for help on a Facebook group this Wednesday morning, revealing that her husband had died during the night and she was still waiting for a forensic vehicle to remove his body. "I haven't wanted to speak out due to the immense pain I’m feeling, but the situation in Cuba is outrageous. My husband passed away at 1:45 AM, and it's now 10:25 AM, and we're still waiting for a forensic vehicle because there isn't one," explained Nathalia González in the Facebook group "Managua, Frank País y Las Guásimas."
The young woman added that she went to the Maulines Funeral Home in the Arroyo Naranjo municipality, only to find that they were in the same predicament. Nathalia detailed that her husband's body was "decomposing" and that all their efforts to get assistance had been fruitless. She also mentioned that the Operational Guard had arrived at 6 AM.
"For God's sake, if anyone has the number of an office where this can be resolved, please let me know. I'm asking from the voice of a desperate wife and a devastated mother," concluded the young woman, who is the mother of a small child, the son of the deceased young man.
In the comments section of the post, dozens of users reacted with a blend of indignation and sadness, with many calling it a "disrespect" that even in death, peace cannot be found in Cuba. This sentiment has been echoed in various similar situations reported in recent months, one of the most recent being the lack of a hearse to transport the late actor Carlos Massola.
Regarding the cause of death of Nathalia's husband, identified as Dariel Peña, a couple of users indicated that it was due to a traffic accident. One user shared the phone number of a transportation base with the desperate woman, while other commenters agreed that bribery would be the most effective solution, as it’s often the only way to get things done in Cuba. "When you talk about paying, everything appears quickly," commented one user.
There were also those who referred to other similar recent incidents or even recounted experiences from years past. "It's very sad. Seven years ago, I lost my father and had to hold the wake at home. The car arrived at 9 PM, and he had died at 6 AM," described another user.
As of the closing of this article, there has been no update on this tragic case.
Challenges in Cuban Forensic Services
This section aims to address common questions and concerns regarding the challenges faced by the forensic services in Cuba.
Why are there delays in forensic vehicle services in Cuba?
The delays are often due to a lack of resources, poor management, and systemic inefficiencies within the country's public services.
What can families do in such situations?
Families may need to contact multiple offices or even consider unofficial means such as bribery to expedite the process, though this is not recommended.
Are these issues widespread in Cuba?
Yes, similar situations have been reported frequently, indicating a systemic problem within the country's public services.