Related videos:
The father of José Carlos Guerrero García, one of the nine recruits who died on January 7 in the explosion at the military unit in Melones, Holguín, blames the high military command for the loss of his son.
Thirty days after the tragic event that resulted in the deaths of a total of 13 people, Julio César Guerrero Batista shared a message on his Facebook wall, claiming that "incompetents in an office ordered the lives of 9 children and four officers to be taken."
"I only ask for a long life for that high command of incompetents, so they cannot sleep either day or night due to the atrocious murder of all those innocent lives filled with dreams and plans for their lives — to work, to create a home, to become parents," he requested.
"That’s why this country is not progressing and sinks deeper into its own swamp every day, due to incompetence," he emphasized.
In another post, he stated that God is great and powerful, and justice will be served.
"One day he will unleash all his anger against the rulers who have caused so much pain to families, especially to mine," he assured.
Days ago, Guerrero Batista reported that the soldiers who managed to escape alive from the tunnels where weapons were stored were sent back inside by orders of someone, despite being aware of the serious danger involved.
He demands that the person who gave that order pay for the 13 deaths.
"The truths always come to light. They emerged alive from the tunnels, but they were sent back down knowing the monster that existed down there. That person who gave the order must pay for those 13 lives," he expressed.
His report considers the accounts of nearby witnesses: one of the young men who was in the tunnels before the tragedy recounted that he left the area because of a strong smell that made it difficult for him to breathe. The young man was threatened with expulsion if he did not return inside, but he chose to leave, thereby saving himself from the tragedy that occurred shortly afterward.
Other accounts indicate that, after initially coming out, the recruits were sent back into the tunnels, where the explosion that claimed the lives of everyone present eventually occurred.
Guerrero Batista also attacked the secrecy and lies that surrounded the incident. In his message, he expressed his pain and anger at the lack of clear answers and the absence of a public investigation to clarify what happened.
"I don't understand why, at that time in the morning on January 7, military officers were already on site, but they ordered the soldiers to go back into the tunnel. They sent them to certain death," he wrote.
Frequently Asked Questions about the explosion at the military unit in Holguín and its consequences
What happened at the military unit in Melones, Holguín?
On January 7, 2025, an explosion occurred in an ammunition warehouse at the Melones military unit in Holguín, resulting in the deaths of 13 people, including nine young soldiers. The explosion has been officially attributed to a short circuit, although the victims' families have denounced negligence and a lack of transparency on the part of the Cuban authorities.
Why is the high military command blamed for the tragedy?
The families of the victims, such as Julio César Guerrero Batista, have reported that the soldiers were sent back into the tunnels, despite being aware of the dangers involved, under orders from a high-ranking military officer. Those responsible are accused of acting with negligence and without considering the safety of the soldiers, which led to the tragedy.
What has been the Cuban government's response to the incident?
The response of the Cuban government has been criticized for its slowness and lack of transparency. The authorities have maintained a veil of secrecy and have not provided a clear public investigation into what happened. This behavior has caused outrage among the victims' families and the Cuban population.
What impact has the tragedy had on the debate surrounding Mandatory Military Service in Cuba?
The incident in Holguín has intensified the debate over Mandatory Military Service in Cuba. A renewed push for the "No to Military Service" campaign has emerged, which criticizes this practice as oppressive and dangerous for Cuban youth, highlighting the risks they face without proper training.
Filed under: