Mother of Soldier Killed in Holguín Explosion Rejects Official Ceremony: "It Was a Farce"

Gretel María Franco, a Cuban mother grieving the loss of her 18-year-old son, Leinier Jorge Sánchez, who died in a military warehouse explosion in Melones, Holguín, has harshly criticized the official ceremony honoring the victims. She labeled the event as "ridiculous" and "a farce."

In an interview with Martí Noticias, Franco expressed her deep sorrow and anger, stating her decision not to attend the ceremony held on January 20 at the Plaza of the Revolution “Major General Calixto García” in Holguín. "I didn't go because these things are forced here. It was ridiculous. That was a farce. I said I didn't want pictures of my boy there," Franco stated, visibly distraught over her son's death.

This grieving mother also accused the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) of not attempting to recover the victims' bodies after the explosions. "They (the high-ranking officers) didn't dare to go in and look for them. The country's decision was not to go in, and that's how it stayed," she said, expressing clear frustration.

The ceremony, intended to honor the 13 deceased, was led by Miguel Díaz-Canel. It featured honor guards, floral offerings, and rifle salutes. However, the absence of the victims' bodies marred the event, sparking criticism on social media and deepening the families' grief.

The tragic incident occurred on January 7. Official reports indicate that the explosions were triggered by a fire in a warehouse storing aged military materials, resulting in the deaths of four officers and nine soldiers, most of whom were young conscripts of the Compulsory Military Service.

The official tribute was also noted for a missing detail: the absence of recruit Frank Antonio Hidalgo Almaguer's photo in the commemorative display.

The Holguín incident has left an indelible mark on the affected families, who continue to seek answers and justice amidst their profound sorrow.