The mausoleum for the martyrs of independence in Cárdenas, in the province of Matanzas, considered the first dedicated to the mambises in Cuba, is exposed to looting after the breaking of the fence that protected it and the removal of the chain that secured its access, this Sunday according to a report published on Facebook that generated a wave of indignation.
The neoclassical structure, painted white and topped with the inscription "To die for the homeland is to live," houses the remains of 238 fighters from the Cárdenas Brigade who fell during the War of Independence from 1895 to 1898, according to the Ecured platform.
The monument was built between 1899 and 1900 at the initiative of General Carlos María de Rojas and was officially inaugurated on May 20, 1912, when the sculptural group by artist José Vilalta Saavedra, carved from Carrara marble from Italy, was installed.
It is also the only mausoleum of its kind located in a public square in Cuba, making it a primary heritage symbol for Cárdenas, the City of the Flag where the Cuban flag was first raised on May 19, 1850.
Citizen outrage was immediate. "That place in my time was honored and respected for what it represented: a Altar of the Homeland," wrote a neighbor in the comments on the video.
Other residents of Cardenas pointed directly to the inaction of the institutions. "Where are the authorities of our city, the government, the Party, and other institutions? Because it is a great disrespect and it brings a lot of sadness and pain to see an act like that," noted a user.
A commentator warned that the monument had been closed and well-preserved until about two years ago, and cautioned: "If no measures are taken, part of the history of Cárdenas will be lost."
Another neighbor identified a pattern behind the incident: "They stole the gate; that's a trend in the cemetery," suggesting that metal looting has become systematic in the city.
In the absence of an official response, a citizen put forward a concrete proposal to create a recovery committee with the support of the Grand Lodge of Cárdenas, open a bank account to receive contributions from residents of Cárdenas both within and outside of Cuba, and hire a private small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in construction to restore the monument.
"There are things that should not be touched, there are things that are our identity. That is not just a mere building; it is a part of our history: they were warriors who truly wanted and gave everything for a truly free Cuba," summarized a resident of Cárdenas on social media.
The case adds to a pattern of deterioration of heritage in Matanzas documented throughout this month. The Armando Carnot playground lost its fence due to systematic theft, and its historical plaque has vanished, while decay takes hold of Calle del Medio in the Historic Center of Matanzas.
Recently, a leader promised to repair the railway bridges Giratorio and Belsay, but made the works conditional on an unspecified energy improvement, leading to skepticism among the population.
Filed under: