The General Directorate of Health in Santiago de Cuba assured that there were no signs of violence on the body of the elderly man found dying next to a garbage container at the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Surgical Hospital in Santiago de Cuba.
The authorities stated in a statement that the man was found alive in the early hours of Saturday “on the ground, near one of the locations where garbage collectors are deposited, and close to his hospitalization room,” but after being transferred to the Emergency Department, “despite timely and intensive treatment, he passed away.”
The case was revealed by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta, whose account contradicts the official version.
The elderly man "was found dying during the early morning, after being brutally beaten, and minutes later, he passed away without anyone attempting to help him in time," Mayeta asserts.
However, according to the official version, "there are no signs of violence on the body; therefore, the trauma is considered a result of a fall as the cause of the injury."
"In a disrespectful manner, false information related to this incident has been spread on social media, which is why it is essential to provide official data regarding it, while reaffirming the repudiation of those who unscrupulously create states of alarm and misinformation," states the official communiqué, which targets the independent journalist without whom the information would not have come to light.
Yesterday, the independent reporter reported that the victim was identified as Alberto Fajardo Videaux, 86 years old, originally from Guantánamo, and with no known relatives in the province.
The preliminary medical diagnosis indicates severe cerebral hemorrhage due to a skull fracture. Information gathered by individuals at the scene suggests that the cause of death includes homicide by blunt force, Mayeta stated.
The journalist stated that the area was cordoned off by agents of the Revolutionary National Police and Legal Medicine, and that witnesses claimed there were no active surveillance cameras and that the corridor where the elderly man was assaulted remained dark.
"He died like a dog and was left lying there like trash," a hospital source reported to the journalist.
The family of the deceased admitted him and he never returned, she detailed.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Death of an Elderly Person in a Hospital in Santiago de Cuba
What happened to the elderly man in the hospital in Santiago de Cuba?
The elderly Alberto Fajardo Videaux, 86 years old, was found dying next to a garbage container at the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Surgical Hospital in Santiago de Cuba. He passed away shortly after being transferred to the Emergency Room, despite receiving intensive treatment.
What is the official version regarding his death?
According to the General Directorate of Health in Santiago de Cuba, there were no signs of violence on the body of the elderly man, and the injuries were attributed to a fall. However, this version contradicts that of witnesses and journalist Yosmany Mayeta, who suggests a possible homicide.
What did journalist Yosmany Mayeta report about the case?
The journalist Yosmany Mayeta reported that the elderly man had been brutally beaten and died without receiving timely assistance. His account contrasts with the official version that denies the existence of violence.
What irregularities were reported regarding the incident?
Several irregularities have been reported, such as the absence of active surveillance cameras in the hospital and the fact that the hallway where the elderly man was found was dark. The area was cordoned off by the police and Forensic Medicine, but the lack of oversight and the conditions of the place raise questions about safety and the handling of the case.
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