A despicable act of vandalism has resulted in the destruction of a white marble plaque at Holguín's Loma de la Cruz, commemorating Nobel Prize-winning author Pablo Neruda (1904-1973). This plaque marked Neruda's visit to this iconic site on December 22, 1960, alongside Cuban poets Raúl Ferrer (1915-1993) and Manuel Navarro Luna (1894-1966).
Journalist Reynaldo Zaldívar Osorio shared the incident on the official ¡Ahora! newspaper's Facebook page, along with a photo showing a hand holding the shattered pieces of the plaque in front of the wall where it once stood.
The damage was discovered by a group of young volunteers who arrived early to clean the site.
Historical Significance Under Attack
The plaque was originally installed on May 2, 2013, by members of the Asociación Hermanos Saíz (AHS) to honor the significant visit of the Chilean poet to Cuba. Zaldívar expressed his dismay, stating, "These monuments and historical sites are not mere objects or museum pieces; they are the living memory of our community and a shared heritage. Destroying them is not just an act of ignorance but a theft of collective identity and a disregard for the efforts of those who created them."
Social Media Outrage and Deeper Concerns
This is not the first incident of vandalism reported at Loma de la Cruz. Previously, unknown individuals damaged and moved a cannon—an exhibit at the site—that had to be restored by members of the Movimiento Juvenil Mariano and local residents.
Social media users reacted with outrage. "There's hardly anything left, and it's certainly not the Americans' fault," commented one user. Another demanded, "Enough of the impunity towards vandalism. We need strict measures, extreme vigilance, and exemplary trials." Yet another lamented, "There's a long-standing tradition among some Holguín residents of destroying beauty, generation after generation."
Some pointed to deeper issues: "It's the moral poverty of many citizens, the lack of civility, and the most basic norms of coexistence and respect," commented one. "So sad that so few of us feel the loss of our collective heritage," summarized another, encapsulating the widespread sentiment toward the destruction of one of Holguín's beloved cultural symbols.
Escalating Pattern of Vandalism in Holguín
This incident adds to a concerning trend of vandalism and theft of heritage sites in Holguín. The sword from the statue of Major General Julio Grave de Peralta (1834-1872) in the park of Las Flores has been stolen at least three times, with the most recent theft occurring in late April.
In December 2025, a man removed a fence from the same park in broad daylight without intervention. Weeks earlier, the theft of 180 meters of cable left parts of the city without water for over two months, and on July 5, four solar panels were stolen from the water supply system of 18-story buildings.
Nationally, the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory recorded 2,833 crimes in Cuba in 2025, marking a 115% increase from 2024, with 1,536 robberies representing a 479% surge since 2023.
Understanding Vandalism and Crime Trends in Cuba
What was the significance of the destroyed plaque?
The plaque commemorated Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda's visit to Holguín's Loma de la Cruz in 1960, highlighting its historical and cultural importance.
How have social media users reacted to the vandalism?
Social media users expressed immediate outrage, calling for stricter measures against vandalism and lamenting the loss of cultural heritage.
What other incidents of vandalism have occurred in Holguín?
Holguín has experienced multiple vandalism incidents, including the theft of a general's statue's sword and solar panels, and the removal of a park fence.