A resident of the city of Santa Clara reported this Saturday on the state of neglect of the Martyrs' Park in that central Cuban city, where there are broken fences, destroyed pillars, overturned benches, and a buildup of garbage.
Through his profile on Facebook, Héctor Luis, who identifies himself as a psychologist, professor, and chess master, shared photographs that show the deterioration of the area, also known as the Railroad Park or Martí Park.
The images show a downed wrought iron perimeter fence, as well as the concrete pillars that supported it.
"The abandonment, the apathy of those who should maintain it, the daily filth, and the lack of a sense of belonging from some are turning it into a shadow of what it once was," wrote the complainant, who called for an urgent intervention from the authorities.
The park holds significant historical value for Santa Clara. It was built between 1900 and 1903 and was reconstructed in 1916. Its central element is a truncated column dedicated to those who fell in the Cuban wars of independence.
Its location, in front of the Marta Abreu train station, also makes it one of the first places encountered by those arriving in the city by train. "We are not talking about just any space; we are talking about the first face that thousands of travelers see upon arriving in our city, a heritage of everyone that is now crying out for help," warned Héctor Luis.
The publication provoked reactions of outrage among the residents of Santa Clara. A citizen recalled that the Martian parade traditionally ends there. She described its deterioration as "violence" and called for the enforcement of social discipline.
Another commenter stated that the gate had already vanished and questioned the lack of oversight regarding vandalism. "Vandalism in this country is rampant, and the worst part is that no one sees anything," she wrote.
A third user extended the criticism to other public services. "Cuba is like this all over, the hospitals are more important and they resemble pigsties," they commented.
Héctor Luis concluded his statement with a phrase directed at those responsible for preserving these spaces. "Heritage is not protected merely through speeches; it is cared for through actions."
Among the reactions, there were also questions directed at Susely Morfa González, the First Secretary of the Communist Party in Villa Clara, regarding her management of the province.
The deterioration of the park contrasts with the statements made by Morfa herself in August 2025, when she toured the boulevard of Santa Clara and called for "turning ruins into beautiful places", referring to the state of neglect of urban spaces.
In September, damage was reported with graffiti, deteriorated benches, and missing railings in the Ignacio Agramonte Park in Camagüey, which has been declared a World Heritage Site. Similar issues were also reported in the José Martí Park in Cienfuegos.
In October, the Lacret park in Nueva Gerona was subject to reports of vandalism, while the Santana park in Sancti Spíritus ended up as a garbage dump.
The complaints once again highlight the deterioration of public spaces that should receive maintenance and institutional protection.
Related videos:
Filed under: