A Cuban father reported that his son, Yorgenis Horrutinier Rodríguez, 18 years old, nearly lost complete vision after suffering an accidental gunshot during a shooting practice of the Mandatory Military Service in Havana.
The testimony of Alberto Horrutinier Sánchez was shared on the profiles of La Tijera and Irma Broek. In his statement, he confirms that an officer from the Tank Unit in Managua took Yorgenis out of the infirmary, despite being ill, to take him to the shooting range for target practice.
During the exercise, the same officer discharged the weapon that injured the young man. Yorgenis lost the vision in one eye and is at risk of permanent blindness.
He is currently hospitalized in the Ophthalmology Department of the "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto" Military Hospital in Havana, accompanied by his mother, Erisneyda Rodríguez.
"My son was admitted due to an illness he had, and the chief took him out of there to the shooting range to shoot. The child was wounded by the chief and has lost vision in one eye, and he is on the verge of losing the other eye," the father said, distressed.
The father claims that, so far, no measures have been taken against the alleged responsible party and that there is no coverage in the official media regarding the case.
"Where is the justice? Why doesn't the news report these things?" he questioned while revealing the facts and demanding accountability for what happened.
In his recorded statement, Horrutinier Sánchez insists that the family has been without answers for days: “The culprit is nowhere to be found… my son with one eye lost and about to lose the other,” he said, while demanding that the case not be silenced and that justice be ensured.
Pending an official statement, the complaint highlights the focus on safety and supervision of shooting practices in the Mandatory Military Service, as well as the protocols for handling sick recruits or those under medical observation.
The number of young deaths during Military Service is increasing
In just 2025 alone, at least 13 young people who were serving Active Military Duty, a mandatory requirement imposed by the regime, died.
In January, explosions at the Melones military warehouse (Rafael Freyre, Holguín), resulted in a toll of nine soldiers (recruits) confirmed dead.
In May, a young Cuban, identified as Léster Álvarez, reportedly took his own life while fulfilling Military Service in the Ariza prison, in the province of Cienfuegos. The news has caused profound distress among neighbors and loved ones.
In July, an 18-year-old Cuban youth, from the community of El Gabriel in the municipality of Quivicán, Mayabeque province, passed away while serving in the Active Military Service at the military unit known as El Lombillo, under circumstances that have sparked a profound wave of outrage and sorrow among family, neighbors, and activists.
One month later, a young man identified as Antonio Rassi, 18 years old, passed away at the El Calvario Military Unit in Havana due to self-inflicted injuries.
During those days, additionally, Lázaro Daniel Monteros passed away, a 19-year-old from Avila, while serving in the Military Service at the El Morro unit in Havana.
In recent years, the victims of this mandatory program have increased due to accidents, untreated illnesses, suicides, or abuses in military units.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mandatory Military Service in Cuba
What happened to Yorgenis Horrutinier Rodríguez during Mandatory Military Service?
Yorgenis Horrutinier Rodríguez, 18 years old, suffered an accidental gunshot during a shooting practice of the Mandatory Military Service in Havana, which resulted in the loss of vision in one eye and the risk of total blindness.
How has the Cuban government responded to reports of incidents in the Military Service?
So far, no official measures have been taken against those responsible for the accidents in Military Service, and there has been no coverage in the official media regarding the case of Yorgenis Horrutinier Rodríguez. Reports of negligence and lack of justice continue on the island.
How many young people have recently died during Mandatory Military Service in Cuba?
In 2025, at least 14 young people have died while fulfilling Mandatory Military Service in Cuba. These deaths are attributed to explosions, suicides, and inadequate conditions in military units.
What criticisms has the Mandatory Military Service received in Cuba?
The Mandatory Military Service in Cuba has been criticized for being a space of risk and mistreatment for adolescents and young people. Reports include medical negligence, abuse, and a lack of adequate training for recruits, which has led to a growing rejection from the population and activists.
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