Reports of a deceased newborn found in a garbage dump in Havana

The body of a newborn baby was discovered in recent hours inside a dumpster located at the intersection of Infanta and Santa Rosa streets, in the Cerro municipality, according to reports from neighbors and users on social media.

“I just received the news that a dead baby was found in the trash at Infanta and Santa Rosa in Cerro,” reported the activist Yoel Parsons Bones on his Facebook profile.

Images circulating show that the baby was wrapped in a white plastic bag.

So far, the authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the case, nor are there any details about the identity of the mother or the circumstances surrounding the event.

Witnesses stated that the body was discovered by individuals rummaging through the debris, a common practice in urban areas of the country marked by poverty and scarcity.

This tragic discovery occurs against a backdrop of growing concern over the rise in cases of abandoned newborns in Cuba, many of whom have been found deceased since the Covid-19 pandemic.

In December 2023, a similar event occurred in the city of Pinar del Río, where a baby was found inside a dumpster wrapped in a plastic bag.

Weeks earlier, another newborn was found dead in Old Havana, one in Mulgoba, and another in Las Tunas.

Experts and activists link these cases to the rise in unwanted pregnancies, caused by the shortage of contraceptives, limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, and increasing economic restrictions on safely terminating pregnancies.

"The situation is alarming. Many women lack resources and support, and in their desperation, they make tragic decisions. But there is also a responsibility on the part of the State to provide real and effective alternatives, including access to contraception, psychological care, and streamlined adoption processes," said a social worker from Havana, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Various profiles on social media have urged women who are unable or unwilling to raise their children to turn to the state agencies responsible for adoption before making irreversible decisions. "There are families who want to adopt and cannot have children. There are alternatives, but real guidance and support are needed," wrote the page "El Guardián del Aliento."

Meanwhile, the community of Cerro remains shocked by the discovery. Residents are calling for an urgent investigation and for accountability to be established, while outrage grows over a new case that highlights the gaps in the system for child protection in Cuba.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Abandonment of Newborns in Cuba