At least 19 young people have died so far in 2025 while performing Compulsory Military Service in Cuba.
LIMA, Peru – A young Cuban died last Thursday while completing the Compulsory Military Service (SMO) imposed by the Castro regime. This is Eldis Leyva Nieves, 19 years old, who was stationed in Military Unit 2431 of the Border Brigade, in Guantánamo.
Reports on social networks from the independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta and the activist Yamilka Lafita, known as Lara Crofsreported that the young soldier died after being seriously injured by the detonation of a rocket during military practices with real weapons at a shooting range.
Eldis Leyva Nieves, a native of Ocujal del Turquino, in the Guamá municipality, Santiago de Cuba, was urgently transferred to the Dr. Agostinho Neto General Teaching Hospital, where he died at 6:38PM.
The accident occurred just over four hours before the time of death, around 2:15 in the afternoon, when a rocket exploded in the air and the fragments hit the soldiers participating in the exercise, including Eduardo Maturel García, captain of the Artillery Regiment, who remains hospitalized with less serious injuries.
Leyva Nieves’ body was preserved pending the arrival of his father from Venezuela. His death caused consternation among friends and family. His father was known locally for being the director of a junior high school in the area and his mother was also linked to the educational sector, working as a teacher.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta highlighted that so far the authorities of the Cuban regime have not offered detailed official information on the technical causes of the detonation or on the responsibilities involved in the accident.
Not counting the death of Eldis, at least 18 other young people have died so far in 2025 while complying with the SMO, as documented by Cubalex. Reported cases include accidents in the Prevention Corps, medical negligence, gunshots or self-harm.
Parents and activists point out that the SMO, far from representing a training stage, has become a risk environment and abuses for Cuban adolescents and young people. They denounce that the deaths are repeated in similar circumstances.
Despite the seriousness of the events, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) does not issue official information about these cases, which has increased the demand from family members and organizations for greater transparency and the end of the mandatory nature of military service in Cuba.
