The residents of the Chicharrones neighborhood in Santiago de Cuba have been without water supply for 43 days. Despite the regime's failure to resolve the crisis, a neighbor purchased a water truck and shared the vital liquid with the community, providing some relief.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta shared a video on Facebook showing the residents of Calle 20 Alto collecting water in buckets, pails, and various containers. "Thanks to a neighbor who bought a truck with water," said the person reporting the dire situation in this Santiago de Cuba neighborhood suffering from severe water supply issues.
"And look at the color of the water," the woman in the video pointed out, indicating that the water in the containers was darker than usual. Mayeta emphasized that "the water supply crisis in Santiago de Cuba shows no sign of ending" and also highlighted that the problems affect this and other communities.
"The crisis extends to other peripheral neighborhoods of the city, and the Aguas Santiago Water and Sewer Company has failed to fix the recurring breaks in the main pipeline, known by many locals as 'La Maestra,'" he noted, mentioning that recently more than 80 percent of the city lost service.
Bricella Hernández, an oncology patient in Santiago de Cuba, denounced on social media this Saturday the inefficiency of public service officials in the city. Hernández, who has undergone 25 surgeries, a cystostomy, and suffers from urinary incontinence among other ailments, expressed her frustration on Facebook over the lack of response from those in charge of the water supply.
However, water supply issues are recurring in various provinces across the country, demonstrating that the regime's inefficiency is not limited to a particular local government but is systemic. Recently, a young Cuban complained about the water shortage affecting the population of La Reforma in the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud, which has been without running water for nearly a week.
A video shared by X user @DiazVismar38292 amplified the young man's complaint, explaining the plight of nearly 1,800 residents, according to EcuRed, who live in La Reforma. A similar problem is faced by the population of Pinar del Río, which, despite having "sufficient reserves to meet the demands of its population," suffers from poorly adjusted water supply systems.
Frequent system breakdowns exacerbate the situation, extending supply cycles, while the passage of hurricanes and delays in recovery continue to complicate life for the residents of Pinar del Río.
Understanding Santiago de Cuba's Water Crisis
The ongoing water crisis in Santiago de Cuba has raised several questions among the residents and those following the situation. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
Why has the water supply crisis lasted for 43 days in Santiago de Cuba?
The water crisis has persisted due to recurring breaks in the main pipeline, "La Maestra," and the inefficiency of the Aguas Santiago Water and Sewer Company in addressing these issues.
How are residents coping with the lack of water?
Residents are relying on neighbors who can afford to buy water trucks and sharing the water with the community. They collect water using buckets and various containers.
Is this water crisis unique to Santiago de Cuba?
No, similar water supply issues are affecting other provinces, such as Isla de la Juventud and Pinar del Río, indicating a systemic inefficiency across the country.