Manzanillo is mourning the death of a child suspected of having hemorrhagic dengue

The city of Manzanillo woke up in mourning this Tuesday following the news of the death of an 8-year-old boy, reportedly due to a case of hemorrhagic dengue.

In just three days, the illness extinguished the life of Jorge Daniel Varela Veliz, son of the cultural promoter Yaquelin Veliz, director of the children's project Colmenita Corazón Gigante, widely recognized in the local artistic community.

The death of the minor has triggered a wave of sadness, anger, and questions regarding the health situation in that municipality of Granma.

Neighbors and acquaintances have publicly reported that a garbage dump has been left uncollected in front of the child's home for weeks, which —they point out— may have contributed to the spread of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the carrier of dengue.

Only after the tragic outcome did local authorities send a team to clean the area, several posts on Facebook claim.

"We all knew about the dump on the corner. They cleaned it up when there was nothing left to do," expressed a resident on social media.

The little Jorge Daniel, affectionately known as Jorgito, was described as a cheerful, sensitive, charismatic boy full of energy.

Her mother, Yaquelin Veliz, a key figure in the local culture and founder of Colmenita Corazón Gigante, has received countless expressions of support from colleagues, authorities, and the entire community.

"Today there are tears in the most beautiful hive. The mother bee experiences a deep and indestructible pain. Jorgito was everyone's little brother," wrote journalist Roberto Mesa Matos in a touching message published on social media.

The highest authorities of the Party and Government in Granma and Manzanillo—including Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, Yanetsy Terry Gutiérrez, Reynier Beltrán Sánchez, and Rocío Naranjo Figueredo—were present to offer their condolences, along with the provincial and municipal cultural directors.

The case has reignited the debate about the critical health situation facing the country, where shortcomings in solid waste collection, the deterioration of the public health system, and the lack of systematic fumigation combine to create a breeding ground for diseases such as dengue.

"Cuba's healthcare, communal services, and much more are in turmoil. However, it is unacceptable to accept the epidemiological risk that this represents without urgent measures being taken," denounced an internet user.

Manzanillo, like many other cities in the country, is facing outbreaks of vector-borne diseases in a context of structural crisis that has led to the accumulation of large piles of garbage in the corners for years.

The body of Jorge Daniel was bid farewell in an intimate ceremony attended by family, friends, and colleagues of his mother from the cultural field.

Frequently Asked Questions about dengue and the health situation in Cuba