Residents of the Cuban province of Las Tunas have reported disturbing instances of grave robbing at the Vicente García Cemetery, where numerous mausoleums have been desecrated and the remains of the deceased scattered across the ground.
A woman named Daysi Aguilera Santiesteban, aged 69, recounted to local newspaper Periódico 26 her harrowing experience when she attempted to exhume the remains of her brother (a combatant in the Angola war), her father (prominent in the Fight Against Bandits), and another brother (also an internationalist soldier). She found a horrifying scene: the mausoleum had been violated, with the remains of her loved ones strewn about. Additionally, the three mortuary boxes containing their bones had been stolen.
Aguilera Santiesteban described a long and frustrating journey through local institutions such as the Police, the Prosecutor's Office, and the Municipal Government, where she was met with insensitivity and mistreatment from public servants who ignored her complaints.
Security Concerns and Administrative Challenges
Jorge Gordales Reyes, the cemetery's administrator, acknowledged the lack of security, particularly after 5:00 pm. "We are in a complex neighborhood, and despite our efforts to clean and organize, the problems persist," he stated. He also emphasized the difficult working conditions, low pay, and lack of resources they face.
Misleydis Fernández Jiménez, a party secretary and cemetery worker for 21 years, confirmed the challenging conditions under which they operate. "No one wants to make an effort for such a low salary amidst so many shortages," she explained. She also noted that the area where the cemetery is located has a high crime rate, frequent power outages, and numerous families living in extreme poverty.
The situation at the Vicente García Provincial Cemetery is not unique to Las Tunas. Recent reports on social media indicate that other cemeteries face similar issues. Two months ago, it came to light that Las Tunas is the only Cuban province without a crematorium, forcing residents to travel to other cities for this service.
The official Periódico 26 reported that families wishing to use cremation services must arrange for incinerations in Camagüey, Santiago de Cuba, or other provinces, adding bureaucratic hurdles to their grief.
Last year, there were also reports of grave robbing and vandalism in the city's cemetery, highlighting a widespread problem that demands urgent attention.