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The Cuban activist Anamely Ramos reported the death of her grandmother in Camagüey amidst the health crisis the country is facing and the lack of transparency from the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) regarding the increase in dengue cases and other viral diseases.
“We thought it was dengue, but then we just didn't know anymore. Because that’s how many people are dying in Cuba, without even knowing what it is,” wrote Ramos on her Facebook profile, where she recounted the difficulties her family faced even to bury the elderly woman.
According to reports, the authorities of the Camagüey cemetery decided not to bury anyone that day because they did not have the minimum conditions to do so due to the rain, which forced the family to cremate the body after nearly a day of waiting to receive the ashes.
The former university professor and member of the San Isidro Movement (MSI) dedicated a text to her grandmother, in which she lamented that in Cuba “people are dying. In many ways. Today in Cuba, life and death are increasingly blurred,” and warned that “seeing it from the outside is no less painful.”
Ramos has been unable to return to the island since 2022, when the Cuban regime prohibited her entry into her homeland, a decision enforced by American Airlines under orders from the Havana government.
A contrast with the official version
Ramos' words align with a growing concern among Cubans regarding the spread of dengue and other vector-borne diseases, while the MINSAP has only acknowledged three deaths from dengue nationwide so far in 2025.
The figure, presented by the Deputy Minister of Public Health Carilda Peña García, is the first official acknowledgment of deaths due to this cause for the year, following weeks of institutional denial and rebuttals against citizen reports regarding the increase in severe cases, particularly in Matanzas.
Despite the ministry asserting that the deaths were “supported by necrological studies,” it did not provide details about the ages, provinces, or clinical conditions of the deceased, which fuels public distrust.
Meanwhile, testimonies from family members—such as that of Anamely Ramos—expose the precariousness of hospitals, the lack of reagents, the collapse of the funeral system, and the abandonment of patients in their homes.
I know that many will think I am using personal issues to engage in politics. I don't care. The only politics that interests me is the one that is activated when the dignity of human beings is trampled upon, and that can happen in life, but also in death, wrote the activist.
From forced exile, Ramos expressed his pain at not being able to say goodbye: “The only way I found at this moment to stay close while being far away,” he said, accompanying his post with a photo of his grandmother alongside his son when he was little.
Her testimony adds to those of many Cubans who denounce the healthcare collapse and official opacity in a country where —as she wrote— “life and death are increasingly blurring.”
Frequently Asked Questions about the Health Crisis in Cuba and Dengue
What is the current situation of dengue in Cuba?
The situation of dengue in Cuba is alarming. Although the Ministry of Public Health has only officially acknowledged three deaths from dengue in 2025, numerous citizen testimonies suggest a higher number of fatalities and a collapse of the healthcare system. The lack of transparency and resources exacerbates the crisis, particularly affecting provinces like Matanzas and Camagüey.
How does the health crisis affect the Cuban population?
The health crisis in Cuba has had a significant negative impact on the health and quality of life of the population. Cubans face long queues in hospitals, shortages of medications and reagents, and unsanitary conditions that promote the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Oropouche fever. Furthermore, distrust in official institutions has increased due to the lack of information and transparency.
What has Anamely Ramos reported about the health crisis in Cuba?
Anamely Ramos has reported the death of her grandmother amid the Cuban health crisis and the lack of transparency from the Ministry of Public Health regarding the rise in dengue cases. Ramos has also criticized the precariousness of hospitals, the shortage of resources, and the abandonment of patients. Her testimony highlights the seriousness of the situation and the distrust towards the authorities.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to control the dengue crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented some measures, such as home admission to relieve hospitals, but these actions have been insufficient. The lack of resources for fumigation and vector control, as well as the limited transparency in official information, have weakened the response to the dengue outbreak and other viral diseases.
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