As Thalía López commemorates what would have been her brother Yassel Díaz Vázquez's 42nd birthday, she posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, blending her grief with a demand for justice that the Cuban regime has ignored for over four years.
"Today my brother Yassel Díaz would have turned 42. He was a victim of the Saratoga Hotel explosion. We never imagined his workplace would be the most dangerous," Thalía wrote. Her post captures the unresolved anguish of a family still waiting for answers.
Yassel was 38 when he died on May 6, 2022. A leak of liquefied petroleum gas during refueling from a CUPET tanker triggered an explosion that partially destroyed the seven-story hotel on Paseo del Prado, across from Havana's Capitol.
He had spent nearly a decade working at the establishment, managed by the Gaviota group, which is linked to the Cuban military.
His sister recalls him as a linguistics professional, creator of the "Saratoga 500" cocktail, and someone who served international public figures throughout his career there.
Thalía questions the normalcy of a hotel explosion that elicits no response.
She warns that her family's silence shouldn't be mistaken for acceptance: "No one should confuse our silence with forgetting or resignation. Remembering is also a demand for justice. His life was invaluable, and no family should have to face such a devastating loss without truth, without answers, and without legal accountability."
Thalía emphasizes they aren't seeking revenge, but rather justice, truth, and clarity about what happened. "Time doesn't erase the facts or restore lost lives."
She concludes with a poignant reminder of their prolonged wait: "Justice shouldn't depend on the passage of time, the silence kept, or the pain a family can endure."
The Saratoga explosion resulted in 47 fatalities and 99 injuries, including four minors, a pregnant woman, and more than 25 hotel employees.
Four and a half years after the tragedy, the Cuban government has yet to release a comprehensive technical report on the causes or hold anyone accountable through the judicial system.
The International Labor Organization intervened in April 2024, following a complaint by the Independent Trade Union Association of Cuba, urging for the investigation's completion and sanctions to be imposed, yet no verifiable public results have been produced.
The 22 families from the neighboring building at Prado 609, displaced since May 2022, had not returned to their homes by May 2025, as construction remained in the foundational stages.
Justice and Accountability in the Saratoga Explosion
What caused the Saratoga Hotel explosion?
The explosion was triggered by a leak of liquefied petroleum gas during refueling from a CUPET tanker.
How many people were affected by the Saratoga explosion?
The explosion resulted in 47 deaths and 99 injuries, affecting minors, a pregnant woman, and numerous hotel workers.
Has the Cuban government released any reports on the explosion?
No, a comprehensive technical report has not been released, nor have any judicial actions been taken against those responsible.