Shocking Footage Reveals Assault on Patient at Cuban Psychiatric Hospital

A video circulating on social media has brought to light a brutal attack on a patient at the psychiatric hospital in Santa Clara, located in central Cuba. The footage was shared by user Rubén Carrillo on his X account (formerly known as Twitter), where he highlighted the frequent occurrence of such abuses in the facility. "This happens very often at the Santa Clara psychiatric hospital. The attendant hits the patient while telling them to stay calm. I muted the audio to protect my source's voice," Carrillo stated when posting the video.

The disturbing images capture a hospital worker physically assaulting a patient, who appears to be in a state of crisis. Although the video lacks sound, it has sparked intense reactions and condemnation among social media users.

Adding to the concern, the assault takes place in front of other patients in the ward, who are seen living in poor conditions within the institution. This footage has rekindled worries about the treatment of patients in Cuban psychiatric facilities and the absence of effective oversight and human rights protections in these centers.

This incident is yet another in a series of reports that have surfaced in recent months about the critical state of psychiatric institutions in Cuba. Back in January, the mother of a patient in the "Luis Ramírez López" Psychiatric Hospital in Guantánamo raised alarms over the lack of essential medical equipment, like the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) device, which had been out of service for months.

The mother explained that this shortage has exacerbated the emotional and behavioral issues of patients, creating a violent environment where patients and staff alike engage in aggressive behavior. She shared photos of injuries sustained by various patients and claimed to have repeatedly sought assistance from the Minister of Public Health, to no avail.

Shortly after her complaint, a video from inside the same Guantánamo hospital was posted on TikTok by the user Cuba Actual, showing tidy facilities, made beds, and a green area where patients were seen walking. However, many social media users questioned the authenticity of the depicted environment. "That must be for a government visit; no Cuban who knows the current state of hospitals in Cuba would believe it," one user commented. "If you see the one in Santiago de Cuba, you'd faint from the poor hygiene," remarked another young woman, reflecting the widespread skepticism toward the apparent "set-up" of suitable conditions.

The Health Directorate of Guantánamo responded days later, asserting that patients at the center receive quality medical care from multidisciplinary teams with "high scientific rigor." Nevertheless, the statement did not deny or address the allegations of mistreatment, nor did it explain why the electroconvulsive therapy equipment remains non-operational.

These current allegations are part of a long history of serious negligence in mental health institutions in Cuba. The most notorious case is still the 2010 tragedy at the Havana Psychiatric Hospital, known as Mazorra, where at least 26 patients died from hypothermia, malnutrition, and neglect. Although several employees faced legal action, the promised structural reforms have yet to be fully realized.

Since then, independent organizations, activists, and families of patients have continued to report systemic deficiencies, physical abuse, poor hygiene, and inhumane conditions that severely affect the mental and physical health of those institutionalized.