A palm grove in Güines

Former military garrison General Adolfo del Castillo, Masó and Herrera Streets, October 2002. Photo by Elodia Basaco, Whittier, California

Thefts and Lack of Maintenance
in Güines' Cemetery

By Ernesto Roque, CPI

Havana, November 8, 2002 (www.cubanet.org) - Residents of Güines Municipality, Havana Province, are alarmed due to irregularities detected at the cemetery in that locality, which involve directors of the Enterprise for Community Services.

“What happened to me on the 4th. of this month was the limit,” said Virgilio Marante Güelmes, who for six months has been coming to the cemetery to bring flowers to his sister. “I learned from a worker here that the Director of Community Services gave the order to pick from the graves all flowers that were in good shape to be sent to the shop where funeral wreaths are made.”

Marante added that he presented himself in the Community Services' offices to complain to the Director, but he was not there. “My complaint was given in writing to the receptionist. Up to now I have not received any response.”

Alberto Carralero, a resident of El Manguito township, mentioned the floods during the rainy season. “Another problem that the local cemetery has is due to the running off of water. I tell my family that I prefer to be cremated, because it is not easy to be dead and under water.”

A cemetery worker, on his part, who requested anonymity being afraid of retaliation, stated: “A few months ago four trucks with materials were brought here in order to improve the cemetery streets. As you can see at first glance, everything has been stolen or has been ruined: rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, which makes impossible to keep the place up. They have stolen flower vases, metal rings on graves' lids, marbles, glasses, tiles from the bathrooms and water pipes. Also we have received complaints of thefts of skeleton parts.”

The workers also complain because they do not receive food during the work period nor alcohol to disinfect their hands after they finish. “The job—the source added—is more difficult every day. It is now over six months that they have not given us files to sharpen the machetes, and the job of cutting the green areas is more difficult.”