Fidel Galván León, the director of the Manicaragua Water and Sewerage Company in Villa Clara, has been arrested on charges of corruption following complaints from residents suffering from a severe water crisis that has persisted for years.
The news surfaced through social media posts by locals in central Cuba, who had repeatedly reported the government official’s illegal activities and abuses. Meanwhile, the community continues to face chronic water shortages.
"Fidel Galván, the current director of the water utility in Manicaragua, was recently detained for corruption within the utility. He is now under house arrest. Neighbors reported him for using water trucks to fill his personal pool. This wasn't the first time, but it was the last straw for a population tired of the blatant misconduct of their leaders," a Facebook user revealed.
This information was corroborated by the regime's profile "Fuerza del Pueblo," which confirmed the incident without naming the detainee. The post quoted a source from the Mataguá area, stating that the police arrested Galván for "abuse of office, speculation, and hoarding."
Fuerza del Pueblo confirmed that the government official "used water trucks for personal benefit, ensuring a constant supply to his home, including a private pool." Additionally, during the arrest, authorities seized 75 liters of diesel and 20 liters of gasoline from him.
The official profile emphasized that "opportunism, shamelessness, and abuse of power are condemned across all societal spheres, especially during tough times," and warned that "the law will be enforced rigorously." However, the statement did not clarify whether Galván would face further administrative actions or appear in court for his crimes.
Provincial Government Acknowledges Water Crisis
Just over a week ago, the Provincial Government of Villa Clara published a note on a visit by Governor Milaxy Yanet Sánchez Armas to Manicaragua, where she "verified the tense situation with water supply to the city and its surrounding communities." During the visit, Galván was seen in photos showing the governor and her entourage the facilities of a pumping station.
Meanwhile, the critical situation in Manicaragua's communities has become increasingly untenable. According to another Facebook complaint, residents of Loma de Piedra in Manicaragua reported that on May 31, water trucks arrived in the town amidst the scarcity, but only for those who "can get diesel (…). This service is only available to those who steal diesel from their workplaces or obtain it through corruption, as there is none available for the public at the service station."
The complaint from a profile named Héctor Tol Etón stated that sick individuals went to the government to request water and were told, "if you can get the fuel, you can go to the water utility and get the service."
"It was an insult to the neighborhood to receive the water trucks and not get a single bucket of water. There are sick people, children, and disabled elderly in this area," the note stressed.
The dire situation has led residents of several communities to dig holes and extract groundwater or draw water from rivers to meet their household needs, even in places where wastewater is discharged, posing significant health and safety risks.
"What you see here are people fetching water from the river because for over a month and a half, all we get from the local leaders are excuses. This river is behind the Reinaldo Urquiza pre-school, and it receives discharge from the septic tanks of Jibacoa, Guamajal, and Esbu. Some people use this water, boiled, for drinking, while others use it only for cleaning, washing, and bathing. This is the deplorable situation we have reached," the same Facebook account reported.
The post holds local leaders, including Galván, responsible for the crisis. It notes that "this situation does not affect Madelaine, the president of the government, nor Mileidi, the secretary of the party in Manicaragua, and certainly not Fidel, the director of the Water Utility, who benefits from the situation and was the former council president in Mataguá, the infamous dry village."
The text recalls that this last locality "has been in a water crisis for over two years" and warns: "Unfortunately, its residents remain passive in the face of excuses and prefer to carry water on their shoulders rather than get into trouble."
However, in 2022, residents of the El Negrito neighborhood in Mataguá protested for several days against the withdrawal of water service from the utility following a repair on the pipeline to Manicaragua.
Residents of Mataguá told CiberCuba that local leaders ignored their repeated complaints and always gave the same response: "There is no solution." They also sent letters to the Central Committee and the Council of State, from which they received no response.
At that time, residents were hopeful for changes in the local government, but judging by the current problems, the situation has not only remained unresolved but has worsened.
Questions Surrounding Manicaragua's Water Crisis and Corruption
Given the recent arrest of Fidel Galván León and the ongoing water crisis in Manicaragua, several questions arise regarding the implications and future actions. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What charges is Fidel Galván León facing?
Fidel Galván León is facing charges of abuse of office, speculation, and hoarding.
How has the water crisis affected Manicaragua residents?
Residents have been severely impacted, resorting to digging wells or using contaminated river water for their daily needs due to the chronic water shortages.
What actions have local leaders taken in response to the water crisis?
Local leaders have been largely unresponsive, providing excuses rather than solutions, and have failed to address the residents' repeated complaints.
Is there any indication that Fidel Galván León will face further legal consequences?
While the official statement emphasized rigorous enforcement of the law, it did not specify whether Galván will face additional administrative actions or court proceedings.