At least five Cuban Generals were reported to die mysteriously, as the government of the South American nation failed to release the origin of their death. Without enough information, The Miami Herald reported that critics were suggesting that the series of casualties among the high-ranking officials of the country were caused by COVID-19.

Local 10 reported that a possible cause might be a coronavirus outbreak after a face-to-face meeting that happened after the July 11 rebellion. However, the Cuban government has not yet reported if that was the cause.

Furthermore, the high-ranking officials who died mysteriously were composed mostly of elderly and retired soldiers from the country. Moreover, the deaths occurred in a span of nine days.

It was also not clear whether the said generals were present during the said face-to-face meeting.

5 Cuban Generals Mysteriously Dies in the Past 9 Days

New York Post reported that one of the five generals who dies was identified as Agustin Peña Pórres, who was a former commander of the Western Army. Porres was also known to be a member of Cuba's Communist General Committee. The Miami Herald noted that Pórres was 57 years old when he died on July 17. He was supposed to turn 58 this week.

Another official who died with unknown cause was reported to be Reserve Brigadier General Marcelo Verdecia Perdomo who died on July 20. Verdecia Perdomo was known to be one of Cuba's former Prime Minister Fidel Castro's bodyguards, during the Sierra Maestra guerilla fight.

On Saturday, general Ruben Martinez Puente died at the age of 79. Puente was reported to be indicted in Miami, in 2003, after he shot down two American private planes over international waters in 1996.

On Monday, television reports noted that retired Brigadier General Manuel Eduardo Lastres Pacheco also passed away. However, Local 10 noted that Pacheco's death happened on July 19. New York Post highlighted that Pacheco served under the Argentine Ernesto "Che" Guevarra in the 1950s. Pacheco was later known to serve the eastern army of Cuba.

Meanwhile, retired Brigadier General Armando Choy Rodriguez died at the age of 87. Rodriguez was reported to pass away on Monday, but state media failed to confirm his demise. On Tuesday morning, Central University Las Villas confirmed his demise. Apart from serving in the military, Rodriguez was reported to be a historian and author.

COVID-19 Cases in Cuba

The Miami Herald noted that the lack of information on the island prompted speculation that some if not all the generals' deaths were linked to coronavirus that currently wreaks havoc in the country.

In the last three days, Cuba's health authorities reported about 25,000 new cases of COVID-19 in the country. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization recorded at least 8,184 new cases from Cuba in the last 24 hours, and 66 new deaths in the same timeframe.

Meanwhile, WHO also noted that about 798,000 vaccine doses were administered by the country as of May 27. However, the organization did not provide details on the number or rate of Cubans who were fully vaccinated.

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Cuba COVID-19 Community Transmission - From CGTN America