In recent hours, chilling details have emerged from friends, neighbors, and witnesses concerning the tragic episode in which a Cuban man lost his life to crocodiles last Friday morning after falling into a crocodile farm in the Zapata Swamp. This tragic incident took place specifically at the Boca Guamá tourist center in Matanzas province. Although the victim's identity has not been officially confirmed, local residents identified him as "Pablo," commonly known as "El Chino."
According to accounts from witnesses and acquaintances, the man apparently jumped into the crocodile enclosure voluntarily while under the influence of alcohol.
Harrowing Testimonies
Kevin Fernández, an employee at the facility, witnessed the event and described it as horrifying. "It all happened right in front of me; I work there, and he just jumped in. He was drunk, it was the most terrifying scene I've ever witnessed. I can't get the images out of my head. This is the first such incident since the farm was established in 1959," Fernández shared in the comments section of one of the many forums where the news was posted.
Meanwhile, Marinita Núñez Alarcón, the victim's niece, expressed the family's shock and questioned the crocodile farm's safety measures. "The gentleman was my uncle. He left early in the morning like every day to run errands, but who would have thought he would head to that place? His family is devastated, and his children, of course, by this horrific event. Please, respect the grief of others with comments that are irrelevant. Everyone has a family, and anything can happen," Núñez Alarcón stated.
She added, "Maybe he wasn't in a good state of mind that day, but we don't know why he jumped or if he slipped, we just don't know." She criticized the security for allowing him access. "I don't understand what the guards were doing that they let him enter that area at that time. They clearly didn't do their job well. There's no remedy for what happened, but it could happen again," she concluded.
Another witness, Leonel García, a waiter from Jagüey, confirmed that the man did not fall by accident but intentionally jumped. "He didn't fall; he jumped. He took off his clothes, stayed in his underwear, and started yelling that he hadn't eaten for four days," García recounted.
The Tragic Story Behind the Incident
Acquaintances of "El Chino" claim he was going through tough times personally. Rolando Bencosme, who knew him, disclosed that the man was in a desperate situation. "El Chino was a good person, but life is complicated. He was having serious problems with his family. Two days ago, he spoke with me, saying he was fed up with life. Today was his birthday, according to him, and his family had abandoned him," Bencosme shared.
"He was like everyone in this country, really struggling. There are no opportunities for anyone, and you can't speak out. As the saying goes, we can't understand our problems, and not all of us can cope with this. But we're in a bad way, we have no options, just like he didn't. I apologize to his family, may he rest in peace. When you reach that limit, nothing matters anymore. This is how we Cubans live day by day," Bencosme concluded.
Neighbors of the deceased also mourned the loss. "Rest in peace my neighbor, El Chino, always with his music equipment. He didn't deserve such a harsh death. What was going on in his mind and soul to do this? Only he knows what he was going through. Rest in peace, Chino, your neighbors and friends will always remember you. Much light to you," expressed Niurka Quintana.
Melissa Pérez Castillo, another neighbor, shared her sorrow over the loss of a man she described as hardworking and beloved. "El Chino was a good person. Pablo, as he was named, was a hardworking man, a good neighbor. But life and circumstances weren't on his side. The problems he dealt with, the struggles, the hunger... it was the breaking point; he couldn't take it anymore," Pérez Castillo commented.
"May he rest in peace, we will always remember him with his speaker listening to music. We will miss you because there are few like him. A cry to the heavens. EPD," she added.
The Guamá crocodile farm is one of the region's most popular tourist attractions and is dedicated to the conservation of the Crocodylus rhombifer, an endangered species native to Cuba. The area is equipped with safety measures, so it is unknown how the man was able to access the restricted area and whether there was a failure in security oversight.
As of the time of this report, official sources have yet to comment on the incident.
Understanding the Incident at Guamá Crocodile Farm
What happened at the Guamá crocodile farm?
A Cuban man, identified by locals as "Pablo" or "El Chino," died after he voluntarily entered the crocodile enclosure at the Guamá crocodile farm while intoxicated.
Why did the man enter the crocodile area?
Witnesses report that the man was under the influence of alcohol and expressed desperation over personal issues, including family problems and hunger.
Are there safety measures at the Guamá crocodile farm?
The farm has safety measures in place, but it remains unclear how the man accessed the restricted area, raising questions about potential negligence.
How did the community react to the tragedy?
The community expressed shock and sorrow, with many sharing memories of "El Chino" as a sociable and hardworking individual who faced difficult circumstances.