The excesses of Active Military Service in Cuba are making headlines again. This time, it follows the release of a video recorded in an alleged Infantry Unit in San José. The footage shows an officer mistreating a young soldier, forcing him to squat while carrying a weight on his shoulders that is disproportionate for his build and, without a doubt, beyond what he receives in terms of nourishment during his time in the Army.
"Those of us who were in the Military Service know that this is a small sample of the real horror," wrote CiberCuba journalist Magdiel Jorge Castro in a post shared on his profile on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
The excesses and mistreatment shown in the video have outraged and mobilized social media, prompting calls for public assistance in identifying the officer who is at the center of this new chapter of horrors in the Mandatory Military Service in Cuba. And since nothing remains hidden between heaven and earth, an anonymous user has identified the soldier.
According to what he explains, he was there when he went through the preliminary in Tapaste and then months later, in San José. "He is a terrible abuser. He was always doing the same thing with the soldiers, testing strength and abusing. What I don’t remember is the name," he wrote.
Among the familiar faces who have spoken out against the abuse depicted in the video taken at the Infantry Unit of San José is comedian Andy Váquez, who on his Instagram profile warns that the young recruit could have died after being kicked and shoved backward.
In his opinion, behind this type of abuse are the cases of suicides that occur constantly in the Military Service. "Let's help identify this great jerk who does this. Someone must know him. Let's make him famous," the comedian points out in reference to the military who commits the abuse of power.
The images reportedly recorded in San José add to the long list of injustices that typically occur during this mandatory military training phase that young Cubans undergo after completing their pre-university education. Those who have not been able to escape testify that what is shown in this video is quite common, often as a form of punishment.
It is not surprising that with these thunderous events, suicides, accidents, and the fleeing of young people of military service age are increasing. The most recent incident occurred last May when two recruits died after being struck by a bus in areas of the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM) in Artemisa province, according to various reports, although official sources remained silent about what happened.
Also in May, a young Cuban, identified as Léster Álvarez, reportedly took his own life while serving Active Military Duty in the Ariza prison in the province of Cienfuegos. The news caused deep distress among neighbors and loved ones.
One of the most publicized cases was that of the young Adrián Rodriguez García, who died at the age of 19 while fulfilling his Military Service. He had already completed the mandatory two years, but they kept him in the Unit that year. His mother went to see him during the day, and that night she received a call informing her that her son had died after being hit by a vehicle, after the Unit had granted him permission to go out with friends. The Unit washed their hands of the matter and claimed he had escaped. The unlicensed driver who hit him was only sentenced to five years and eight months in prison. No military personnel were investigated during the judicial process.
Campaigns opposing Military Service in Cuba are gaining momentum, particularly after the fire at the Matanzas supertanker base. On August 5, 2022, a lightning strike hit a crude oil tank, causing a large-scale fire that spread to four fuel storage tanks over several days. The tragedy in the industrial area of Matanzas resulted in 17 fatalities, over a hundred injuries, and substantial material losses. Among the deceased were four recruits.
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