Cuban Family Distressed Over Missing Remains at Local Cemetery

A Cuban family has raised alarm after discovering the disappearance of their mother's remains from a local cemetery. Upon visiting the site to exhume her body, they were met with confusion and a lack of answers. Yoandra Ávila from Holguín took to Facebook to express her distress, sharing the heart-wrenching experience with her family.

"We went to the cemetery to retrieve my mother's remains, and the condition of the place was appalling," Ávila wrote, attaching photos that depicted the site in disrepair, with dilapidated coffins scattered about. The real shock, however, came when cemetery officials failed to account for the whereabouts of her mother's remains. "They told us to stay calm, that they would find them, took our phone number, but never gave us a satisfactory explanation," she recounted.

Amidst the chaos, Ávila stumbled upon a hat identical to the one her mother was buried with. Initially, she was reassured it was a mere coincidence. Yet, when she attempted to retrieve it later for a police report, the hat was gone, and the mess had been cleared. "This is an immense pain for me and my family. Action is needed; such things cannot continue. We are human beings and deserve respect," Ávila insisted.

Although the scenario seems surreal, other commenters shared similar experiences. Susell Buitrago Santiesteban recounted, "I once reported a gravedigger who was selling bones while I was visiting. We informed a local representative, provided all details, yet the response in the Holguín newspaper mocked my claims."

Tania Infante González echoed the sentiment, sharing her own ordeal: "My brother was placed in a sack without our knowledge. I empathize with you... I share in your sorrow... May God forgive them." Cynthia Avello described another terrifying situation: "Years ago, our entire family vault was emptied, and we never discovered where they discarded the remains."

Mari Sarmiento highlighted the frequency of such incidents: "I faced the same situation two years ago, and it’s been happening for quite some time." In the comments, the original poster reiterated her suspicions about her mother's fate: "That's not all. My mother is missing, and I found the hat she wore. Why don't they know? I believe she was used for something sinister, maybe witchcraft, but I won't stop until I get answers."

In response to another user, she emphasized her suspicions: "Did you see, dear, what we're enduring in this horrid country? Not even the dead are respected. All were men, and the only woman vanished... This was for witchcraft or something, but I won't stop."

Cemeteries in Cuba are facing a dire crisis, with numerous reports highlighting neglect and frequent desecrations. Recent images reveal the severe deterioration of these sites, with destroyed graves, exposed skeletal remains, and an utter lack of maintenance.

In Las Tunas, the crisis reached a peak when several skulls were discovered on a street near the local cemetery, sparking outrage among residents. This incident adds to other events that highlight the lack of protection for human remains on the island.

In Matanzas, some families are considering removing their loved ones' remains due to desperation. The theft of bones has become a persistent issue, feeding an illegal trade for various purposes, including alleged religious rituals.

Meanwhile, in Sancti Spíritus, there have been reports of grave robberies where thieves break into family vaults and steal bones, exacerbating the security crisis in these areas. In Bayamo, negligence by authorities has led to human remains being exposed, horrifying visitors.

These events reflect the dire conditions in which the deceased rest in Cuba, underscoring the lack of state investment in cemetery upkeep and the absence of protective measures to prevent grave desecration.