A marble bench in the Lacret Park of Nueva Gerona, on the Isle of Youth, was found with its seat ripped from its supports and thrown onto the grass, according to images circulated this Sunday that sparked criticism over vandalism and the lack of protection for public spaces.
The photos were shared on Facebook by the profile Carapachibey Pinero, managed by the announcer Ramón Leyva Morales, who described the incident as "another unscrupulous and vandalistic action" and asked if anyone had witnessed what happened.
"It has become normal for the unacceptable to be part of the conduct and moral values in our country!" wrote Leyva Morales, who also warned about the danger that the destruction of collective goods poses to civic coexistence.
Among the comments, several users pointed out that the park is surrounded by state institutions that, according to them, should have security personnel.
"The saddest thing is that no one sees anything," wrote a citizen, while another commentator questioned the weakness of the laws and the lack of police control in the face of such events.
Some neighbors linked the deterioration of public spaces to the prolonged blackouts affecting the island. "And as long as we continue with these extended blackouts, we will see more issues; may God protect us all," commented a resident.
The complaints were not limited to Lacret Park. Users reported similar issues at Ahao Park, the Domino Park, and various locations along 41st Street. One citizen recalled that in the past, residents could enjoy the boulevard more peacefully, whereas now, according to her account, they can barely sit there with their children.
Another comment questioned why the surveillance seems to prioritize the currency exchange stores on 39th Street over the protection of public spaces. The posts reflect the discontent of residents who denounce the deterioration of areas intended for collective enjoyment, although it has not been specified who damaged the bench or whether the authorities have launched an investigation.
The case adds to recent episodes of vandalism and damage to public heritage reported throughout the Cuban territory. In August, the planks from the benches in Plaza de Marte, Santiago de Cuba, were torn down, and they reappeared damaged in October, weeks after their restoration.
That same month of August, a bronze star was stolen from the mausoleum of Major General Calixto García in Holguín, and in September, aerosol graffiti damaged the Ignacio Agramonte Park in Camagüey, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the very Isle of Youth, at the end of the same month, all the equipment from the seismological station was stolen, including solar panels, batteries, and the seismometer.
The Cuban Observatory of Citizen Audit recorded 2,833 verified crimes in Cuba during 2025, a 115% increase compared to 2024. Of these, 1,536 were thefts, representing a 479% rise compared to 2023.
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