An 11-year-old girl dies in Holguín: What really happened?

A girl of just 11 years old passed away in the municipality of Banes, in the province of Holguín, in an incident that an official source described as "accidental death."

However, this version contradicts numerous testimonies on social media in recent hours, comments from residents in the area, and even from family sources who have united in calling for justice after suggesting—or stating clearly in some cases—that what occurred was a crime that, unfortunately, was preceded by sexual abuse.

"A family in Banes camping by the Jagueyes dam, alongside other friends, could never have imagined that what was a simple children's bath could end in the tragic loss of their 11-year-old girl, who unfortunately drowned." This was how summarized the event on the Facebook profile "Realidades desde Holguín".

The source insisted on describing what happened as a "fatal accident"; it stated that "another girl who was there did manage to escape unscathed," and emphasized that this was "confirmed by witnesses of the events."

"Nothing to do with the morbid and malicious comments that are circulating," the publication noted.

Nonetheless, in an enigmatic manner, the official profile also stated that “during the process, other details regarding the minor were revealed, although these have nothing to do with the unfortunate incident and will be further explored.”

What are those details? The official source provided no hints.

“We reiterate that the expert evidence and witnesses confirm an accident and not a murder,” concluded "Realidades desde Holguín," urging to avoid being complicit in "a poorly told story."

Although the official source did not identify the minor, the deceased girl is named Hilda Puig Peña.

Edilberto (Edy) Peña Rojas and Yanet Fernández Rodríguez, who in separate posts on Facebook referred to the deceased minor as "niece" and "little cousin," respectively, reacted with a brief and significant "Speechless" to the official version.

“Rest in peace, my beautiful niece. One day the truth will be known. Your family is devastated.” Edy Pena Rojas had previously written on Facebook.

"I ask my friends to help me pray for my little cousin. Wherever you are, please pray for her. The story of my cousin is very sad, but rest assured, my little one, that your family has not stopped thinking of you and suffering for you, even for a moment. And yes, there is a great God within me who tells me that everything is going to be okay. We are with you, my girl. You will find peace. We ask for justice," wrote Yanet Fernández Rodríguez.

What other versions are circulating on social media?

Various versions published on Facebook in recent hours, based on testimonies from residents in the area, suggest that the minor may have been “abused and drowned in the Jagüeyes reservoir of Mula.”

One version indicates that three individuals may be involved in the crime and that the minor was tied up before the abuse. According to this account, one of the attackers was identified and captured near the victim's funeral, which sparked outrage in the community.

"Sources indicate that she was invited by unknown individuals to bathe in a reservoir near her home, where her lifeless body was found. It is said that several people have been detained, but there is no detailed statement regarding the case from the police," reports another account of the events.

It is impossible to know with certainty how much truth there is in these and other accounts of what happened. Nevertheless, all of them seem to reflect the facts more accurately than the sweetened narrative from the authorities.

What do the residents of Banes say?

A post shared in several Facebook groups from Banes in recent hours calls for justice for "Hildita," although it omits a clear description of what happened.

"Today, our voices rise in a desperate cry for justice. This little girl was taken from this world in the cruelest and most inhumane way. The pain we feel today is not only the grief of losing a child; it is the pain of losing hope in a world that should protect its most vulnerable. Violence against girls and women is an alarming reality that persists in our communities, and Hilda's case is a painful reminder that we must act," says the text.

"We demand justice not only for Hilda but for all victims of violence. It is time for our authorities to take concrete measures to ensure the safety of children. We cannot allow this crime to go unpunished. Families deserve answers, and society needs a profound change in the way gender violence is addressed," he adds.

“Today, we call on everyone: citizens, organizations, and authorities. We cannot remain silent. Hilda deserves for her story not to be forgotten, for her memory to be honored, and for her case to serve as a catalyst for change. We demand justice, because every girl deserves to be heard, protected, and loved. Justice for Hilda and for all victims of violence!” concludes the petition for justice for the minor.

In the comments section of the post, the internet user who shared the plea for justice clarified that the minor "was raped and then murdered."

On the other hand, dozens of residents in the municipality have commented on the incident, fully agreeing that it is a violent event characterized by the tragic nuances that the authorities have insisted on denying.

This indicates that the residents of Banes themselves are distancing from the official narrative that has sought to promote the profile “Realities from Holguín.” This is a summary of some comments from residents in that area:

"That's criminal, death penalty for those, damn."

"EPD, speechless, very sad. Of course, in the not-so-distant future, we will find out who did it."

"Very sad, no one escapes from God. They kill her so that she doesn't speak because she is known; almost always, they are people of trust. In very few cases is it by chance that they are alone and a sick pervert shows up."

"EPD, the guilty must pay for this crime. Death penalty. The people of Cuba demand it. Death."

"My God, what is happening in Cuba? For God's sake. He was an angel, and someone's dirty hands took his life in the worst way possible. We hope they find him and justice is served, for God's sake. No more victims. They are innocent. Rest in peace to this little angel, and my deepest condolences to family and friends. May God, through His grace, cover them with His protection."

"Rest in peace, beautiful girl, may God hold her in His embrace in the heavens. And that scoundrel, heartless murderer, may they execute him; even with this sentence, he wouldn't pay for his crimes. When they find him, he should be handed over to the people of Banes. The police must not rest until they find him. It is dangerous to have such a murderer on the loose."

"Clarification regarding the case of the girl found in the Banes Reservoir, Holguín. It is denied that the minor died by accident while bathing. According to reliable information, the girl was a victim of rape and strangulation. The family demands justice for what happened, while, according to unofficial sources, the detained individuals were released due to a lack of evidence," wrote an internet user in the Facebook group "Ventas Revolico Banes."

The author of the text shared in the Banes Facebook groups has also distanced himself from the official version, responding to someone who attempted to present the official narrative of the events

"Please, do not comment without knowing; the little girl was unfortunately sexually abused and then drowned in the Jagüeyes reservoir."

At the end of this report, the question remains about what happened to the girl. In any case, the worst reality has been confirmed: the child has died.

Moreover, it is evident that the official version completely contradicts the call for justice that emerges on social media.

Once again, the government appears intent on distorting the description of grim events. Its track record confirms it as a specialist in twisting or omitting uncomfortable realities, especially when they involve violence or provoke a social outcry that cannot be silenced.

Instead of providing a clear and transparent version, vague insinuations, euphemisms, and calls to avoid "poorly told stories" are used, as if the citizens do not have the right to the truth.

This systematic opacity not only revictimizes but also fuels the distrust of a people who have read too many poorly told stories from the official apparatus.

Frequently asked questions about the death of a girl in Holguín