Another tragic incident has shaken Cuba's Mandatory Military Service. A young soldier, Eldis Leyva Nieves, just 19 years old, died on Thursday, December 18, after suffering severe injuries during military exercises at a shooting range in Guantánamo province.
This information was shared on Facebook by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
The reported incident took place around 2:15 p.m. when a rocket detonated mid-air during a military drill, scattering fragments that injured several soldiers, including Eldis.
Belonging to the Military Unit 2431 of the Border Brigade, Eldis was urgently taken to the Dr. Agostinho Neto General Teaching Hospital in Guantánamo. Despite receiving specialized medical care, he succumbed to his injuries at 6:38 p.m., just four hours after the accident.
A Life Cut Short
Along with Eldis, a captain from the Artillery Regiment, Eduardo Maturel García, was also injured in the incident. He remains in the hospital's observation ward with stable and less severe injuries.
Born in Ocujal del Turquino in the Guamá municipality of Santiago de Cuba, Eldis had recently completed his nursing studies and was fulfilling his military service when the tragedy occurred. His family is deeply mourning the loss. Although his wake is brief, his body will be preserved in cold storage until his father, Erdys Leyva Isasc, arrives from Venezuela.
The Leyva family has a long history of public service and education. Eldis's father served as the director of the Ocujal Secondary School, and his mother, Yuselis, has been a teacher for many years. Eldis was a twin, though it is unclear if his sibling was also enlisted.
Official Silence and Continuing Risks
No official information has been released regarding the technical causes of the rocket's detonation or any potential accountability for the incident. The military authorities and the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces have also remained silent.
The death of Eldis Leyva Nieves highlights the dangers of Mandatory Military Service, particularly for young men whose life plans are abruptly disrupted by drills involving live ammunition. Such incidents occur amidst a backdrop of secrecy and lack of public information about safety conditions in military practices.
While his family and community grieve the loss of a young man just entering adulthood, social discontent grows against a system viewed by many as coercive and lacking in protections. The State continues to evade responsibility for the deaths of young recruits during their military service.
Eldis's death is part of a series of recruit fatalities in recent years, attributed to accidents, untreated illnesses, suicides, and alleged abuses within military units.
Risks and Controversies of Cuban Military Service
What led to the death of Eldis Leyva Nieves?
Eldis Leyva Nieves died from severe injuries sustained during a military exercise when a rocket exploded in the air, causing fragments to hit several soldiers.
How has the Cuban government responded to the incident?
As of now, there has been no official response or information from the Cuban government or military authorities regarding the causes or accountability for the incident.
What are the broader implications of this incident?
This incident brings attention to the risks associated with Mandatory Military Service in Cuba, especially for young recruits whose lives are endangered by military drills involving live ammunition.