Even the rest of the dead is not safe from robbery in Cuba. The Escolapian Fathers reported the looting of the gate of their mausoleum in the old cemetery of Guanabacoa, in Havana, and expressed their outrage over the insecurity, vandalism, and neglect that, they claim, have been affecting their religious facilities and the historical heritage of the city for years.
In a post shared this Tuesday on Facebook, the Escolapios Cuba community issued a strong denunciation under the heading: "HOW LONG? OUR HERITAGE, HISTORY, AND EVEN OUR DEAD NO LONGER HAVE DEFENSE OR RESPECT."
The religious figures explained that the theft of the gate from their pantheon constitutes the most recent episode of a series of losses that has affected their properties since the nationalizations of the 1960s.
"The Escolapian Fathers have devoted our lives to education, faith, and supporting the Cuban people. But the level of neglect, abuse, and systematic plundering has already exceeded all limits," they stated.
The congregation lamented that whenever there seems to be a possibility of stabilizing their religious and educational efforts, a new theft occurs that exacerbates the community's difficulties.
In this regard, the complaint is not limited to the pantheon. The priests also pointed out the deterioration of the Parish of San Judas Tadeo and San Nicolás de Bari, in the Los Sitios neighborhood, in Central Havana, which has suffered several fires related to the burning of accumulated garbage in its surroundings.
According to the religious leaders, the temple was nearly completely engulfed in flames due to the actions of individuals burning waste and the negligence of those responsible for garbage collection, a situation that has been repeatedly reported by the community.
In their message, they indicated that the parish is under repair.
The Escolapios also recalled the condition of their old convent in Guanabacoa, where they reported damage from fires, neglect, and constant theft.
They assured that the authorities have not acted effectively to prevent the destruction of the property.
Another of their demands is the return of the old Guanabacoa School, which they consider essential to halt the deterioration of a building of immense historical value.
"We continue to demand and insist on its return to stop the definitive destruction of the heritage that belongs to all the people of Guanabacoa," they stated.
The community finds it especially painful that acts of vandalism have also reached the places where their loved ones rest.
Regarding what is happening in the old cemetery of Guanabacoa, the priests stated: "Even in eternal rest, memory is not respected; vandalism and theft in the old cemetery of Guanabacoa are a daily shame."
In the face of what they described as a landscape of impunity, they posed a question to the authorities: “What else has to happen in this country for private property, history, and the sacred to be respected?”
The religious leaders even raised the question of whether they would have to revert to old practices, such as offering rewards with their own money to recover stolen goods, due to the lack of results from the institutions responsible for maintaining order.
«It's not just about metals, walls, or structures; it's about the dignity and survival of a people tired of losing everything», they emphasized.
The congregation concluded its statement with a demand to the authorities: "We demand real answers and immediate solutions, no more administrative silence."
The Escolapia community has also suffered thefts in their places of worship. In October 2025, criminals looted their church in Guanabacoa and stole fans, candlesticks, light bulbs, and liturgical ornaments.
The intruders also caused damage to display cases and other structures of the temple.
In March 2026, a fire affected part of the old cloister of the Escolapios in Guanabacoa.
The fire focused on an area that had been expropriated in 1961 and subsequently used by the Ministry of Education.
Fortunately, the disaster did not reach the church or the current residence of the priests.
In May, religious leaders once again publicly demanded the return of the old school and convent, denouncing the collapse of structures, thefts, and the deterioration of the property, which is part of the Historic Center of Guanabacoa, declared a National Monument.
The parish of Los Sitios, for its part, suffered several fires in 2026 due to the burning of waste next to the building.
In September, the community announced the start of work to restore a damaged door, after months of appeals to the authorities regarding the accumulation of trash and repeated incidents.
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