A sports journalist travels to Cuba to visit his grandmother's grave and cannot believe what he discovers

Yasel Porto denounces the deterioration of the Colón cemetery in Havana, where he found vandalized graves and exposed skeletal remains.

Cementerio Colón © Facebook / DPorto Sports LLC
Colón CemeteryPhoto © Facebook / DPorto Sports LLC

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Cuban sports journalist Yasel Porto traveled to the island to visit his grandmother's grave in the Colón cemetery in Havana, and he publicly denounced the conditions of decay and neglect that he encountered in the most emblematic cemetery of the Cuban capital.

During her visit, she discovered that the mausoleum where the remains of the elderly woman lay was in a deplorable state, with the door open and signs of vandalism inside, she explained in a post on her Facebook page DPorto Sports LLC.

Publication on Facebook

The visitor, who resides in the United States, recounted that he was unable to verify whether his grandmother's remains still lay in the area due to the lack of security and the necessary permits to access the site.

Additionally, he noted a clear neglect in other areas of the cemetery, including the mausoleum of professional baseball players, where plaques and bronze ornaments honoring prominent figures like Andrés Ayón Brown, a legend of Cuban baseball, have disappeared.

Facebook post

The testimony also highlighted more serious issues, such as open graves, exposed skeletal remains in the streets, and a constant stench.

Facebook post

These complaints have become frequent, but the regime attributes the disaster to a lack of resources, the exodus of skilled workers due to low salaries, and institutional indifference.

Frequently asked questions about the condition of cemeteries in Cuba

What is the current state of the Colón Cemetery in Havana?

The Colón Cemetery in Havana is in a state of disrepair and neglect. The conditions of abandonment include open mausoleum doors, vandalism, unattended graves, exposed skeletal remains, and a constant stench. The regime attributes these issues to a lack of resources and the exodus of skilled workers due to low wages.

What issues have been reported in other cemeteries in Cuba?

In several cemeteries in Cuba, such as those in Camagüey and Sancti Spíritus, reports have revealed neglect, with open niches, destroyed tombstones, accumulation of trash, and theft of funeral items. Additionally, there have been reports of grave desecration in the cemetery of Las Tunas. These issues reflect a lack of resources and maintenance by the state.

How do these conditions affect Cuban families?

The deplorable conditions of cemeteries in Cuba emotionally affect families, as they witness the abandonment and vandalism of their loved ones' resting places. Additionally, they face logistical and financial difficulties in burying their deceased, such as the lack of funeral transport and the need to bear costs that should be covered by the state.

What has the Cuban government done to address this situation?

The Cuban government has justified the degradation of cemeteries by citing a lack of resources and a shortage of trained personnel. However, no effective measures have been implemented to address the situation, leading to an increase in public grievances and social unrest over the disrespect shown to the deceased and their families.

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