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The mother of the young Antonio Rassi Roque, who passed away last August while serving in the Mandatory Military Service (SMO), demanded accountability from the officers of the unit where the incident occurred.
After the death of his 18-year-old son in a military unit, Roque accused the officers responsible for his son's care of negligence, in a post published on his Facebook profile.
"It's simply negligence and lack of attention for a death that could have been avoided," he stated.
"Why wasn't I called to be informed about what was happening with Antonio Rassi? Based on the observations of soldiers, not just from the 50 of Calvario, I am told that he couldn't control his sleep. If they, being young, noticed Antonio's condition, how is it possible that those responsible for his care did not see it?" he said.
The woman explained that her son "Antonio Rassi Roque passed away on August 18, 2025, in the Military Unit of Calvario, at the 50 of 18/64."
After the incident, I went to the unit on the 15th and 24th, where I was not attended to.
"I return to the institution on September 30, 2025, where they did not intend to welcome me back. However, due to my insistence and my statement that I would not leave the Unit, they sent a commission with a lieutenant colonel from the Prosecutor's Office, who has no military connection to what happened, as their role is solely for the conclusions of the case," he recounted.
Roque recounted that during that meeting, following his demands, "a colonel and a lieutenant colonel appeared whom I had never seen before, as they are neither the head of Unit 50 nor the political leader in charge, to whom I handed over my son on July 28," he said.
The woman questioned the lack of transparency in providing explanations and demands a meeting with the officials in charge of her son.
"Backed by the Constitution of this country, I have the right to demand a meeting with the head of the unit, the political leader of the unit, the squad leader, and the officer who was in charge of Antonio Rassi's guard on August 18," he emphasized.
"Where were the officials in charge of Antonio Rassi who did not notice his depressive state, lack of hygiene, and dirty uniform, given that he had only one? In fact, the politician himself stated at the first meeting on August 25 that he had ordered his uniform to be washed," he added.
Roque believes that "the death of my son, which they label as 'by his own decision', was simply and plainly a reaction to a provoked action within the unit."
"I ask: what happened from 8:55 in the morning, when my son called me saying he was going on duty, until 2:45 in the afternoon? They, as well as I, know that something happened," he concluded.
Young people who died in Military Service
The case of Antonio Rassi was made public by the independent media elTOQUE last August.
In recent years, the victims of this mandatory program have increased, whether due to accidents, untreated illnesses, attacks on their lives, or abuses in military units, the publication reported.
According to the testimony of Félix Alfredo González, father of a recruit who died in 2021, at least seven young men have died between July and August 2025 while serving in the military.
González —who has become one of the most critical voices against the compulsory Military Service— stated to elTOQUE that the Cuban authorities do not take responsibility for justice or for making amends to the families.
"The government turns a deaf ear," denounced the man, who has been seeking justice for his son's death for years.
The death of Antonio Rassi reignites criticism against Mandatory Military Service, a policy in effect since 1963 that in recent months has even summoned adolescents with serious health issues.
Last July, a young Cuban, only 18 years old and from the El Gabriel community in the municipality of Quivicán, Mayabeque province, passed away while serving in Active Military Service after experiencing severe pain and physical discomfort for several days, without the supervising officers providing him with proper medical attention.
Even the parents requested to take him home due to the deterioration of his health, but they were not allowed to, they claim.
Various organizations and Cuban parents argue that military service has become a space of risk and abuse for adolescents and young people, and they are demanding that the State put an end to compulsory participation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Issue of Mandatory Military Service in Cuba
Why are the military authorities in Cuba being accused of negligence?
The mother of Antonio Rassi Roque, a young man who passed away while fulfilling Mandatory Military Service, accuses the military authorities of negligence because, according to her testimony, her son's mental and physical health was not properly attended to, which could have prevented his death. She also reports that the authorities did not timely inform her about her son's condition and that warning signs observed by other young individuals were ignored.
What is the current situation of Mandatory Military Service in Cuba?
The Mandatory Military Service in Cuba is criticized for being a risky environment for young people, with reports of medical negligence, abuse, and extreme conditions. In recent years, there has been an increase in the deaths of recruits, leading to a growing call for the abolition of this practice.
What actions are the families affected by the deaths in the Military Service taking?
Affected families, such as that of Antonio Rassi, are demanding justice and transparency in the investigations into the deaths of their children. They have also joined movements and campaigns on social media aimed at pressuring the Cuban government to abolish Mandatory Military Service and take responsibility for the incidents that occurred.
What have organizations and activists reported about the SMO in Cuba?
Various organizations and activists have reported that Mandatory Military Service in Cuba has become a space where young people face risks of mistreatment, medical neglect, and inadequate conditions. Censorship and the lack of official responses have fueled criticism against the Cuban regime.
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