Cuban mother denounces delays in investigation into her son's death during Military Service

A Cuban mother publicly denounced the lack of progress in the investigation into her son's death while he was serving in the Mandatory Military Service (SMO) at an army unit in Havana.

Mercedes Roque stated on that six months have passed since the death of her son, Antonio Rassi, without the authorities providing her with a conclusive explanation of what happened.

According to the report, on March 3rd, she went to military unit 5050, known as "El Calvario," where she requested to be seen by the institution's officials. There, she first spoke with the unit's chief, identified as Captain Ricardo Martínez, and was subsequently referred to the Territorial Prosecutor's Office located within the facility.

Roque explained that she was received by an officer identified as Lieutenant Colonel Tamara, who indicated that the case is still under investigation and that elements are still being sought to clarify the events.

The mother stated that the official indicated to her that the delay was also related to the lack of new evidence provided by the family. Roque rejected that claim and asserted that several young individuals who testified about what happened in the unit did so confidentially.

During the meeting, the woman expressed her suspicions about possible abuses within the military unit and stated that she is willing to request additional examinations to clarify the circumstances surrounding her son's death.

The mother also criticized that, despite the time that has passed, the authorities have not presented official conclusions or clear responsibilities.

“My son died in his unit, not in my house,” Roque wrote in his post, where he accused those responsible of a lack of empathy and transparency in the investigative process.

The case once again brings to the forefront the discussion about the situation of Mandatory Military Service in Cuba, where in recent years families have reported deaths, accidents, and alleged abuses without a full clarification of the circumstances.

Eighteen-year-old Antonio Rassi passed away on August 18, 2025, at the El Calvario Military Unit following an alleged self-inflicted injury.