A man diagnosed with schizophrenia is reportedly holding his mother captive in the apartment they share in the Micro 7 extension of the José Martí District in Santiago de Cuba. The news, recently reported by journalist Yosmany Mayeta, indicates that despite the arrival of an ambulance and a police patrol, authorities have yet to gain access to the residence.
According to a nearby resident, "They've been contemplating for an hour how to enter the second floor of the building where the ambulance is stationed to retrieve a psychiatric patient who has locked up his mother." The patient, known locally as "Chago," has previously engaged in similar episodes during periods of instability.
Witnesses criticize the situation, attributing it to the lack of available medication necessary for managing his condition. "Knowing that there is a shortage of medication, why do they let him leave Jagua? This is a patient who blocks stairs, preventing anyone from going up or down. There's uncertainty about whether his mother is still alive inside since he has been known to be violent. They need to act now," one concerned source remarked.
The journalist has issued an urgent plea to the Santiago de Cuba authorities, urging swift action and the implementation of lasting solutions regarding psychiatric patients who lack access to appropriate treatment. Without their medication, these individuals pose a significant threat not only to their families but also to the wider community.
As of the latest update, further details about the ongoing incident are unavailable. In the comments section of the report, a growing number of online users are pressing authorities to act quickly to prevent a potential tragedy, suggesting alternative entry points like the patio or adjacent balcony.
"They don't go in because they don't care about what happens to that mother at the hands of her son... If it were something against the government, they would have been inside long ago, no doubt about it," one commenter stated. "If it were a dissident, they'd tear the roof off the building," another reiterated.
Understanding the Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
What led to the current hostage situation in Santiago de Cuba?
The hostage situation arose when a psychiatric patient, suffering from schizophrenia, barricaded himself in the apartment he shares with his mother, holding her captive.
Why are similar incidents recurrent in the area?
Such incidents are often attributed to the lack of access to necessary medications for mental health patients, which leads to untreated conditions and dangerous episodes.
What actions are being urged by the community?
The community is calling for immediate intervention by authorities and the development of permanent solutions to ensure psychiatric patients receive the treatment they need.