A newly acquired ambulance was subjected to a violent assault involving stones while it was on its way to a hospital in Cárdenas, Matanzas, with a patient onboard. As the vehicle passed by La Verbena, it came under attack from unidentified individuals who hurled stones, shattering several of its windows.
Christian Arbolaez, an activist and content creator, reported on Facebook this Thursday that the incident took place on the night of the previous Sunday, and those responsible for the attack have not yet been identified.
Arbolaez noted that this ambulance was part of a fleet of new vehicles that had arrived in Cárdenas about four months ago, during a time of severe shortage of resources needed for emergency medical services.
The report did not specify the number of windows broken, whether anyone was injured, or if the ambulance had to be temporarily taken out of service following the incident.
"A damaged ambulance doesn't harm a government official; it directly affects the community," warned the activist. He emphasized the vehicle's critical role in transporting an elderly person, accident victim, pregnant woman, or any patient requiring urgent medical care.
Arbolaez highlighted the difficult conditions under which healthcare workers operate: "They face enough challenges by working in deteriorated hospitals and clinics, often with minimal resources, without having to deal with additional destruction of the limited facilities available."
"It's necessary to criticize what is wrong. Destroying an ambulance that might save a life tomorrow is harming ourselves," he concluded.
This incident adds to a series of vandalism acts targeting transportation in Cuba. In April 2024, several public buses in Havana were stoned during their regular routes, resulting in damage to windows and the driver's cabin.
The violence against service vehicles persisted into March 2025, when a P7 route bus was attacked with stones in the Cotorro municipality of Havana, marking the fourth similar case reported in a few weeks.
Rail transport has also faced such assaults. In July 2025, unknown assailants threw stones at a train stopped at Alquízar station in Artemisa, breaking the window of one of the passenger coaches.
Understanding the Impact of Vandalism on Emergency Services in Cuba
What happened to the ambulance in Cárdenas?
The ambulance was attacked with stones, resulting in broken windows, while transporting a patient to the hospital. The perpetrators remain unidentified.
How does vandalism affect healthcare services in Cuba?
Vandalism against healthcare vehicles like ambulances disrupts emergency services, directly impacting the community that relies on these resources for urgent medical care.
Have there been other instances of transportation vandalism in Cuba?
Yes, there have been several reports of stoning incidents against public buses and trains in various regions of Cuba, causing damage and affecting service availability.