An officer from the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) has reportedly accused the grandfather of 16-year-old Maikol Arcia Hernández of "defamation." Maikol, who committed suicide in May 2023 while serving in the Active Military Service (SMA), has sparked a wave of outrage and demands for justice.
Alfredo González, a vocal critic of the SMA, shared the news on the Facebook group 'No más muertes en el Servicio Militar en Cuba,' condemning the officer's actions and expressing the grief of the families affected. "I just found out that the officer responsible for Maikol (Julio César's 'son' who died in the Military Service) accused Julio César at the police station for 'defamation' over a comment he made on social media," González stated. González himself lost a son to the SMA, adding a personal touch to his advocacy.
The accused, Julio César Correa Hernández, has been vocal on social media about the pain of losing his grandson, whom he raised as his own son. Apart from his profound grief, Correa Hernández has been openly critical of the Cuban military establishment, describing it as a cruel institution that mistreats recruits. In July 2023, just weeks after Maikol's death, he wrote on Facebook: "I hope all those dogs who mistreated and abused your innocence behind my back and the entire family's back go to hell. No to Compulsory Military Service."
Since then, Correa Hernández has continued to express his sorrow and indignation, joining a growing group of families who denounce the recruitment of young people into the SMA.
What Led to Maikol's Tragic End?
On May 26, 2023, Maikol Arcia Hernández, a native of Güines, Mayabeque, took his own life at Unit 6244 in San José de las Lajas. According to his grandfather, Maikol suffered from mental health issues that were ignored by military medical authorities. "Three months ago, he told me he was going to shoot himself. I had a deep conversation with him. On the third day, I informed Captain Yordany about my concerns as a family member, but he dismissed them as childish behavior," Correa Hernández recounted in a late July post.
The "Captain Yordany" mentioned by Correa Hernández is likely the officer who filed the defamation complaint. While González's post does not name the officer, Correa Hernández's account implicates this official in the tragic events. Shortly after Maikol's suicide, the grandfather revealed that he had requested the officer not to hand any weapons to his grandson "to prevent greater harm," but his plea was ignored.
"The officer did not understand and assigned him to guard duty at a silo with weapons and ammunition. From 6 PM, as I mentioned, this innocent's body was left lying like a dog until they removed it at 10 PM," Correa Hernández lamented.
González, without naming the officer, criticized his behavior following the tragic incident. "After the child's death, he never had the dignity or humility to say to the family, even 'I'm sorry.' He never cared to investigate what happened, to attend to the family, or to see how the family was doing," González added. González's own son, 18-year-old Annier González, also took his life with a rifle given to him for guard duty in the SMA.
Expressing sorrow over the lack of empathy and accountability from the officer and the Cuban armed forces, González concluded his post by emphasizing the unity among families who have lost loved ones in the Military Service. "We families who have lost children in the Military Service are like one big family," he remarked.
Understanding the Issues Surrounding the Cuban Military Service
This section aims to address frequently asked questions regarding the tragic incidents and systemic issues within the Cuban Military Service.
What led to Maikol Arcia Hernández's suicide?
Maikol Arcia Hernández suffered from mental health issues that were overlooked by military authorities. His grandfather had informed an officer about Maikol's suicidal thoughts, but his concerns were dismissed, leading to Maikol's tragic decision to take his own life.
Who is the officer accused of "defamation" by Julio César Correa Hernández?
The officer in question is likely Captain Yordany, who was mentioned by Correa Hernández as the individual responsible for ignoring his warnings about Maikol's mental health.
What has been the response of the affected families?
Families affected by the loss of their loved ones in the Military Service have been vocal in their criticism of the Cuban military. They have formed a collective to demand justice and call for an end to the compulsory recruitment of young people into the SMA.