Man Sets Himself on Fire in Matanzas, Plunges to Death

In a heart-wrenching incident, a man lost his life on Tuesday morning in Matanzas after setting himself ablaze and leaping from the rooftop of his residence engulfed in flames. The tragic event unfolded in the Pueblo Nuevo neighborhood, specifically on Las Mercedes Street, nestled between San Carlos and San Vicente, as reported by the news outlet La Tijera on social media, which also shared images from the scene.

Photographs captured a body draped in a white sheet in the middle of the street, with a police car parked nearby. According to witnesses, the victim ignited himself on the roof of his two-story home before plunging to the street below. Despite neighbors' attempts to extinguish the flames and provide aid, the man succumbed to injuries from the fall.

Initially, La Tijera described the individual as young and without any known mental health issues. However, local sources later corrected this, identifying him as an older man with a history of suicide attempts. "A friend just told me he wasn't young and had previously attempted suicide. He wasn't even from Matanzas, his family had taken him in because of his past attempts," shared a commenter in an online forum where the distressing news was discussed.

The incident quickly circulated on social media, sparking a wave of reactions. Scores of individuals expressed sorrow and linked the event to the dire situation facing the Cuban populace. The prevailing hopelessness, hunger, scarcity of resources, and the severe socio-economic conditions in Cuba were cited as possible factors driving more people to drastic actions.

"People can't take the pressure anymore; there are problems and misery everywhere in this country," lamented a Facebook user. "Misery can drive even the sanest person mad. This is beyond words." "He left a family shattered by communism, which is pushing us all to the brink of madness," echoed another.

"Depression is ravaging people. Without food, money, or a future, anyone could lose their mind in these circumstances," another person commented on the post. "If anyone reading this is struggling with depression, please seek help. There's always a way out. You can't return from the grave," urged a concerned user, calling for reflection.

This incident in Matanzas is not an isolated case. In recent weeks, numerous social media reports have highlighted a rise in suicides across the island. "People are losing the strength to carry on. We're being slowly killed by misery, despair, and lack of opportunities—a relentless psychological siege," wrote one user.

Many users have called for more visibility on these cases and criticized the silence from state media. As of the time of this report, no further details about the tragic incident have been released, and official media outlets have yet to comment.