A heartbreaking discovery was made on Wednesday when the lifeless body of an infant was found inside a cardboard box at a dump located at the corner of Virtudes and Belascoaín in Central Havana.
Details of this case were shared on Facebook by Cuban activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, who described the incident as "truly devastating." As of now, CiberCuba has not independently verified this report, and Cuban authorities have yet to release an official statement.
The activist revealed that the deceased infant weighed around eight pounds and was found amidst the trash. Police officers cordoned off the area and prevented bystanders from recording the scene.
Woman Detained in Connection with Discovery
Content creator Niover Licea (known as Nio reporting a crime) shared a video depicting police officers escorting a woman with her face covered from a nearby residence. Neighbors have identified her as a potential suspect under investigation.
Licea reported that the infant's body was still damp with seemingly fresh fluids when discovered and remained at the scene until after 2:00 PM, despite police arriving roughly half an hour after the initial alert.
Lack of Official Confirmation
As of the publication of this report, the exact circumstances surrounding the infant's death remain unclear, and there is no official confirmation regarding the woman's involvement as seen in the video.
Salcedo Verdecia demanded a transparent investigation, stating, "The life of that baby matters, and this incident cannot be left in silence."
Recurring Pattern of Tragic Discoveries in Cuba
In recent years, several similar incidents have been reported across Cuba, sparking outrage on social media but rarely eliciting an official response.
In June 2025, the body of a newborn was found in a dump at Infanta and Santa Rosa in the Cerro municipality of Havana, with no official statement from authorities.
Similarly, in December of that year, another deceased infant was discovered near dumpsters in Santo Suárez, Diez de Octubre.
June 2024 saw a premature baby found floating in Havana Bay, and in November 2023, a newborn was found dead in a trash bin in San Isidro, Old Havana.
These distressing events are not confined to the capital. In 2023, a woman was arrested in Pinar del Río after a newborn's body was found in a trash bin.
Such horrific incidents are set against the backdrop of Cuba's deepening economic, political, and social crisis, coinciding with a sharp decline in indicators like infant mortality rates. The country has seen an increase from 4.0 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 9.8 in 2026, as noted by the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel this week.
Understanding the Crisis Behind Infant Mortality in Cuba
What recent events highlight the issue of infant discoveries in Cuba?
Recent events include the discovery of deceased infants in various locations such as dumps and trash bins across Havana and other parts of Cuba, with a lack of official responses.
How has Cuba's infant mortality rate changed in recent years?
Cuba's infant mortality rate has worsened, rising from 4.0 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 9.8 in 2026, reflecting the country's ongoing crisis.