The authorities are investigating the discovery of a plastic bag containing human remains on a street in the city of Holguín, an incident that prompted a swift police response on Wednesday and caused alarm on social media.
According to a statement released by a local government-affiliated profile connected to the regime's police, it was not a "head," but rather an ancient skull found inside a bag on 27th Street, in the Pueblo Nuevo neighborhood.
The same profile attributed the initial confusion to "sensationalist" publications and explained that the skull may have allegedly been used in practices of religious syncretism, warning that obtaining bone remains for this purpose could violate ethical standards and legality.
The statement emphasized that the relevant authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.
"It was an ancient skull found in a nylon bag on 27th Street, Pueblo Nuevo, that understandably caught the attention of passersby. Presumably used in religious syncretism activities, which could violate ethical and legal standards when it comes to obtaining skeletal remains. That's one thing," wrote the regime's profile.
Prior to the police clarification, pages and users on social media, such as La Tijera and Edmundo Dantés Jr, reported the operation with images of a PNR patrol and the presence of agents, without any official details provided regarding identity or circumstances related to the discovery.
The police version insisted on not amplifying content of "questionable origin" that could cause chaos or insecurity.
However, official media rarely report on incidents of this nature. They only do so after activists and independent reporters have already brought attention to the cases.
"If you had reported as you should have, you wouldn’t have to come out and deny it now, in the end, you always end up looking foolish, how ridiculous you are, thank goodness for social media so that these things come to light and expose you as always," commented an internet user.
In September, human remains were discovered in the yard of a home in the Santo Domingo neighborhood - known as El Marabú - in the city of Las Tunas.
The alleged suspect is a man known as "Mala Suerte," with erratic behavior and a history of violence.
According to reports from citizens, the discovery was made possible after excavating three points on the land of their house, located on Julián Santana Street, between Osvaldo Herrera and Frank País.
Previously, the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) had confirmed the investigation of a shocking incident that occurred in Santiago de Cuba, after a human head was found inside a garbage container in Micro 3 of the Abel Santamaría Urban Center, popularly known as “El Sala’o.”
The Ministry of the Interior itself confirmed the finding and stated that it had opened an investigation, working to apprehend the perpetrator or perpetrators of the crime "promptly."
Frequently asked questions about the discovery of human remains in Holguín
What was exactly found on the street in Holguín?
An ancient skull was found inside a plastic bag on 27th Street in the Pueblo Nuevo neighborhood of Holguín. Initially, it was thought to be a recent human head, but the authorities refuted this, clarifying that it could be associated with practices of religious syncretism.
What has been the reaction of the Cuban authorities to this finding?
The authorities have deployed a police operation to investigate the origin of the skull and its possible use in religious practices. It has been warned that obtaining bone remains for these purposes could be illegal and unethical. The regime has attempted to minimize the media impact, suggesting that the posts on social media were sensationalist.
How have citizens and social networks reacted to the discovery?
The discovery generated alarm and stirred up reactions on social media, especially before authorities clarified the details. Citizens have expressed their distrust towards official information, which tends to be limited in these cases, and have pointed out that it is only through reports on social media that the truth behind certain events comes to light.
Are there precedents for similar findings in Cuba?
Yes, several similar incidents have been reported in the country, such as the discovery of a human head in a trash container in Santiago de Cuba and human remains in Las Tunas. These cases have raised concerns and highlighted the increasing insecurity and violence on the island. Furthermore, the lack of clear information from the government has increased distrust and fear among citizens.
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