A young Cuban reported missing while undergoing military service has been found dead

A young Cuban who was undergoing Mandatory Military Service (SMO) and was reported missing last Saturday was found dead a week later.

Nesky Gabriel Escalona Ortíz, 19 years old, lived in the municipality of Habana del Este and was assigned to a unit located in Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque.

The Facebook profile La Tijera stated that in this unit, recruits are mistreated by the officers and are mostly there against their will.

"It is regrettable that young people continue to die due to the absurd Mandatory Military Service, which robs them of the best years of their lives and instead of training them, destroys them," he emphasized.

Mairelis Guerra Escalona, cousin of the deceased soldier, revealed on Facebook that her cousin was found hanging near his military unit, already in a state of decomposition.

According to what was said in the comments section, all indications suggest that he did not commit suicide, but rather was murdered.

"He was hanged near the unit where he was on his designated guard duty," he stated, adding that "he was on guard at the unit, and the next day he disappeared, and six days later he was found dead and decomposed."

In another post, Mairelis revealed that the body was found nearly mutilated by scavenging birds.

"Thanks to the tank unit in Santa Cruz, but it must not go unpunished; those responsible need to be punished," he urged.

"This is how the Castro government operates, forcing young people to complete mandatory service only to later murder and disappear them. Down with Díaz-Canel, down with the abuse of young people and Cuban prisoners," he added.