Over a year has passed since the tragic death of young Cuban Antonio Rassi Roque, who died on August 18, 2025, during his time in the Military Service. His mother, Mercedes Roque, recently took to Facebook to express her outrage, describing the past 13 months as a series of cover-ups and unpunished complicity.
"Thirteen months of mockery is what we, the parents seeking justice for the death of a child in the bloody Military Service, have received. Thirteen months of mutual cover-ups with complete impunity," Mercedes wrote. Her continuous efforts to shed light on her son's death have made her one of the most prominent voices among families who have lost sons due to their military obligations.
She emphasized, "The global awareness of what happens in the so-called Cuban youth extermination, which is the falsely named Mandatory Military Service, is growing. This system leaves countless mothers and families with lifelong grief."
The Tragic Death of Antonio
Antonio was just 18 when he died at Military Unit 5050, notoriously known as "The Calvary," in Havana. His mother had left him there in good health on July 28. A mere three weeks later, Antonio called her at 8:55 a.m. to say he was starting his guard duty. By 2:45 p.m., he was dead. Official reports labeled his death a suicide, a claim Mercedes firmly rejects: "It was sheer negligence and lack of care for a death that could have been prevented," she stated.
From the outset, she pointed fingers at First Lieutenant Aldo Fábregas Ardiles as the main culprit, alongside Captain Ricardo Martínez. In her Friday post, she directly addressed Fábregas: "Aldo Fábregas Ardiles, you'll always have Antonio Rassi Roque's death and all the abuses you committed against many recruits of the 5050 on your conscience."
A Mother's Call for Action
Mercedes recalled a face-to-face encounter months later: "Lacking the courage to look me in the eye, just like on November 19, 2025, when he saw me, his gaze fell to the floor."
She urged other mothers to act: "Report even the smallest incidents that happen to your children in military units, before you find yourself visiting their graves, as I do," she advised.
Despite the obstacles, Mercedes remains resolute: "Even if justice eludes me for my son, I will never tire of speaking out, even if it seems futile."
An Uphill Battle for Justice
Mercedes Roque's quest for justice has faced numerous roadblocks. Her attempts to visit the unit on August 15 and 24, 2025, were ignored. On September 30, a commission met with her but had no direct connection to the incident. In November, the Western Army Chief and Military Prosecutor assured her of "complete transparency," yet the case was shelved.
On July 2, prosecutor Velázquez informed her of the case's provisional dismissal, as permitted by Article 423 of Cuban Penal Process Law 143, which allows a case to be archived indefinitely. No officers have faced charges.
"A recruit's death doesn't matter; it's just another statistic. But an officer's death does," Mercedes lamented. Weeks later, she highlighted the military and judicial authorities' obstructions to her appeal rights and released a video from her son's grave declaring, "they killed him."
The Sobering Reality of Military Service
Antonio's tragic fate is not isolated. According to Cubalex, at least 78 recruits have died since 2019, with 19 of those deaths occurring in 2025 alone. The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory reports at least 97 young men have died or disappeared during Mandatory Military Service between 2001 and spring 2026. The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces has remained silent on these tragedies.
Understanding the Military Service Crisis in Cuba
What are the main criticisms of Cuba's Mandatory Military Service?
Critics argue that Cuba's Mandatory Military Service is poorly managed, leading to preventable deaths among young recruits. There are claims of negligence, lack of accountability, and abusive behavior within military units.
How many recruits have died in the Cuban Military Service recently?
According to Cubalex, at least 78 recruits have died since 2019, with 19 fatalities reported in 2025. Other sources estimate the numbers to be even higher.
Has there been any official response to these deaths?
The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces has not issued any public statements regarding these deaths, despite growing international awareness and criticism.