A man living alone in Santiago de Cuba passed away, and his body remained in his home for nearly 24 hours without authorities arriving to retrieve it. Neighbors on Diego Velázquez Street reported the situation on social media, sparking outrage among local residents.
Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared the incident on Facebook, urgently calling on local authorities to act: "Almost 24 hours deceased, and they have not come to pick him up," he stated.
The deceased individual, Miguel Ramírez Delgado, lived at Calle Diego Velázquez #60 interior, between José Antonio Saco (Enramadas) and Calle Aguilera, in the center of Santiago de Cuba, near the Iglesia Santa Teresita. The cause of his death remains unknown.
Despite numerous calls from neighbors to various government institutions and the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in the province, Ramírez Delgado's body was still in the same chair where he died. The situation has become critical, as the corpse is "starting to emit a foul odor."
Residents have expressed their frustration and urged authorities to act swiftly to prevent health issues and to treat the deceased with dignity.
The case of Miguel Ramírez Delgado highlights the challenges and delays that Cubans may face during emergencies in Santiago and across the country. The government does not acknowledge its inefficiency and blames these issues on the economic and fuel crisis but refuses to accept that Cuba is also experiencing a crisis of values and, above all, a humanitarian crisis.
Critical Issues in Santiago de Cuba
In light of the recent incident involving Miguel Ramírez Delgado, several critical questions arise regarding the efficiency and responsiveness of local authorities in Santiago de Cuba. Here we address some key concerns that residents and observers may have.
Why did authorities take so long to retrieve the body of Miguel Ramírez Delgado?
Local authorities have attributed the delay to the ongoing economic and fuel crisis, which they claim hampers their operational efficiency. However, critics argue that this situation also reflects deeper systemic issues within Cuba's governance.
What actions did the neighbors take to address the situation?
Neighbors made numerous calls to various government institutions and the Communist Party of Cuba, urging them to retrieve the body. They also took to social media to raise awareness and seek urgent action.
What broader issues does this incident highlight about Cuba?
This incident underscores the inefficiencies and delays in emergency response in Cuba. It also points to a larger crisis of values and a humanitarian crisis that the government has been reluctant to acknowledge.