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The Cuban Gretel María Franco, mother of the young recruit Leinier Jorge Sánchez, 18 years old, who died in the explosion that occurred in a military warehouse in the town of Melones, Holguín, described the official ceremony in honor of the victims of the tragic incident as "ridiculous" and "a circus."
In statements made to Martí Noticias, the mother expressed her outrage and pain, as well as her decision not to participate in the ceremony held on January 20 in the "Major General Calixto García" Plaza of Holguín.
"I didn't go because those things are mandatory here. It was ridiculous. That was a circus. I said I didn't want photos of my child there," Franco stated, visibly affected by the loss of her son.
This Cuban mother also reported that the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) did not attempt to recover the bodies of the victims after the explosions.
"They (the high-ranking officials) did not dare to go after them. The country's decision was that they would not intervene there, and that was that," he stated with evident frustration.
The ceremony in tribute to the 13 deceased was presided over by Miguel Díaz-Canel. The event included honor guards, floral tributes, and rifle salutes.
However, the event was marked by the absence of the victims' bodies, which has sparked criticisms on social media and deepened the pain of the relatives.
The tragic event occurred on January 7. Official reports indicate that the explosions were caused by a fire in a warehouse containing aging war materials, resulting in the death of four officers and nine soldiers, most of whom were young recruits from the Mandatory Military Service.
The official tribute also stood out for one detail: the absence of the photo of the recruit Frank Antonio Hidalgo Almaguer in the memorial frame.
The incident in Holguín has left an indelible mark on the affected families, who are still seeking answers and justice amidst their pain.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Explosion in Holguín and the Management of the Cuban Regime
What happened in the explosion in Holguín and who were the victims?
The explosion occurred on January 7 at a military warehouse in the town of Melones, Holguín. The victims were 13 individuals: four officers and nine soldiers, mostly young recruits of the Mandatory Military Service. The explosions were caused by a fire in a storage facility for aging war materials.
Why is the management of the incident by the Cuban government criticized?
The handling of the incident has been criticized for the lack of transparency and inaction in recovering the bodies. Authorities did not start rescue operations citing dangers in the area, which has caused outrage among family members and the public due to the perceived lack of information and negligence.
What did the mother of one of the victims say about the official tribute event?
Gretel María Franco, mother of the recruit Leinier Jorge Sánchez, rejected the official event, calling it "ridiculous" and "a circus." She expressed her indignation and pain, as well as her decision not to participate in the ceremony because she believes the authorities did not attempt to recover the bodies of the victims.
How has the Cuban population reacted to the incident and its consequences?
The population has expressed deep sorrow and outrage, especially on social media, criticizing the government's lack of transparency. Many have demanded clear answers and justice for the affected families. Furthermore, the campaign "No to Military Service" has gained momentum, aiming to abolish this mandatory practice in Cuba.
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