Standing by her son's grave, Mercedes Roque recorded a heart-wrenching video on Friday that has rapidly spread across social media. Her message is clear: Antonio Alejandro Rassi Roque did not take his own life; he was killed. The young recruit of Military Unit 5050 "El Calvario" in Havana died on August 18, 2025, while fulfilling his Obligatory Military Service. He was only 18 and would have turned 19 this Friday.
"Today would have been his 19th birthday, but this is the gift he received from Aldo, the political officer of the 50, first lieutenant," Mercedes stated, pointing the finger at First Lieutenant Aldo Fabregas Ardiles as the direct cause of her son's death.
Allegations of Systematic Harassment
Mercedes Roque recounts a disturbing pattern of systematic harassment within the unit: bullying, humiliation, and intimidation that gradually wore down Antonio's mental state. Before his death, he exhibited visible signs of disorientation, neglect of personal hygiene, and instances of falling asleep on guard duty.
"My son had no psychiatric or psychological issues. He developed them there. They failed to provide the necessary care he needed," she emphasized, highlighting that while other recruits noticed Antonio's decline, officers claimed ignorance.
Justice Delayed and Denied
For 11 months, Mercedes has been seeking justice with no response. On June 19, she accused Lieutenant Fabregas Ardiles before Western Army Chief Eiro Feijó on five separate occasions, without any rebuttal. She also implicates Major Ricardo Martínez as part of the involved officers' circle. None have been held accountable.
The legal path has been obstructed. On July 2, Prosecutor Velázquez from the Regional Prosecutor's Office informed her of the provisional dismissal of the case, granting only three days to appeal. When she attempted to file her documents, she was redirected to the Calvario Territorial Prosecutor's Office, where Lieutenant Colonel Aysel informed her that no documents were on record, effectively barring her only legal recourse. She publicly reported these obstacles on July 17.
In her Friday video, Mercedes directly addressed the MINFAR minister, the territorial prosecutor's head, Lieutenant Colonel Tamara, Lieutenant Colonel Aysel, and Quintín. She also accused Fabregas Ardiles of challenging a recruit to a fight about a month and a half earlier, questioning his fitness for his position.
A Broader Crisis
"There are 107 children dead, and every death has someone responsible. It's inconceivable that no one is held accountable," Mercedes insisted, labeling the Obligatory Military Service as "slavery" and condemning the use of university enrollment forms to coerce recruits into staying in the units.
Antonio Rassi Roque's case is not isolated. According to Cubalex, at least 78 recruit deaths have been documented since 2019 under suspicious or negligent circumstances, with 19 deaths in 2025 alone, seven occurring between July and August. Cuba does not release consolidated official statistics on deaths in the SMO.
Instead of reforming the system, the regime passed Decree 103/2024 in October 2024, increasing penalties for noncompliance with the SMO. Fines now range from 2,500 to 7,000 Cuban pesos for youths starting at 16, extendable to parents and guardians.
Mercedes Roque concluded her plea with a rallying cry to all Cuban mothers: "Mine won't go. No more obligatory military service in Cuba."
Understanding the Crisis in Cuba's Military Service
What are the allegations against the military unit 5050?
The military unit 5050 faces allegations of systematic harassment, including bullying, humiliation, and intimidation that reportedly affected the mental state of recruits like Antonio Alejandro Rassi Roque.
How has the Cuban regime responded to these incidents?
Instead of addressing the issues, the Cuban regime has increased penalties for noncompliance with military service, passing Decree 103/2024, which imposes hefty fines on youths and their guardians for failing to fulfill the Obligatory Military Service.
What actions has Mercedes Roque taken for justice?
Mercedes Roque has accused specific military officers of her son's death, sought legal action, and publicly denounced the lack of response and accountability from authorities, despite facing significant obstacles in her quest for justice.