A 22-year-old Cuban youth lost his life while practicing underwater fishing in the locality of Carbonera, in Cárdenas, Matanzas, a tragedy that has elicited numerous expressions of grief among family, friends, and neighbors who remember him as a calm and beloved person in his community.
The content creator Christian Arbolaez reported this Tuesday on Facebook that the victim was named José Alberto and his body was transferred to the Faustino Pérez Provincial Hospital.
José Alberto was only 22 years old. Those who knew him remember him as a calm, neighborhood boy, a good person, one of those young men from whom no one expects to have to say goodbye so soon," wrote Arbolaez.
«A hobby as beautiful as underwater fishing sadly leaves a family devastated by the loss of a loved one», he added.
According to their publication, the young man was the son of Milagros, who was well-known in the community of El Castillito, also referred to as El Cerro.
The news sparked numerous reactions from people who claimed to have known the young man and recalled his character and the close relationship he had with family and neighbors.
«José, I am at a loss for words. Since yesterday, I've been unwell. I considered you like a little brother, an excellent human being, an excellent son and friend. To all of us who knew you, you were and will always be that beautiful person worthy of remembrance,» wrote a close individual.
Another remembered seeing him grow up in the neighborhood: "José, how much pain you have left among all of us. I saw you born and grow; since you were little, you were raised in our block. Since last night when we found out, we have hardly slept, thinking of you and the pain your mother is feeling".
A particularly painful reaction reflected the impact of the loss within their family: “Oh, my little brother, what pain you left us. Your sister is devastated, and my mom doesn’t know what to do without you.”
"José, you have a whole life ahead of you. So young... It breaks my heart to know that you will no longer be with us. For all of us who knew you, you were like a brother, a great friend, and a good companion," expressed another person.
Many highlighted the impact that the loss represents for his mother. "Excellent young man. How much pain for his mother, her only son. No mother deserves to go through such suffering. May God keep him in glory. Lots of strength," noted another social media user.
Underwater fishing has resulted in multiple fatal incidents along the Cuban coasts. In September 2022, the body of the underwater fisherman Hensley Boza, 19, was found in Matanzas, after he had disappeared near the northern coast of the province. Authorities attributed the death to a blackout during a dive.
In the following years, similar incidents have been reported in various provinces. In August 2023, tragedy struck Holguín, where the body of Yanier Aguilar Rodríguez, 32 years old, was found. He had gone fishing at Esmeralda beach, in the municipality of Rafael Freyre. That same month, the body of the spearfisher Andro Martínez Morange, 34 years old, was discovered on the shore of Siboney beach, in Santiago de Cuba.
Rafael Fernández lost his life while practicing underwater fishing in Playa Baracoa, Artemisa, in May 2024; and the death of Miguel, one of the best divers in Cienfuegos, while fishing in the waters of the province, caused great shock in December of the same year.
Another underwater fisherman died in the area of El Sardinero, in Santiago de Cuba, in October 2025. Dennis Batista Leyva, 35 years old, had gone diving alone and his body was later recovered by other fishermen.
Invariably, after these fateful events, many people have reiterated a basic recommendation for those who engage in this activity: "Never fish alone."
Related videos:
Filed under: