A devastating tragedy has struck in Guantánamo, where a Cuban mother and her five-year-old daughter are among the six confirmed fatalities following the onslaught of Hurricane Oscar. Initial reports from official sources misidentified the young girl as a boy and with an incorrect name. However, it has now been confirmed that the child is Liz Anyi Elías Labañino, who perished alongside her mother, Iriannis Labañino Domínguez, known locally as "Chicha," in the San Antonio del Sur municipality.
Another victim, 83-year-old Antolino Arias Domínguez, shares a surname with Iriannis, but it's unclear if there is a familial connection. The tragic news has left family, friends, and neighbors of the deceased in deep mourning, with the incident believed to have occurred in the early hours, as reported by the newspaper Venceremos.
Unprecedented Flooding and Rescue Efforts
The torrential downpour, measuring 278 millimeters, battered the region between 1 and 3 a.m. on Monday, October 21, leading to unprecedented flooding. This deluge overwhelmed the main town and neighboring communities, catching residents off guard with its intensity, according to Venceremos.
Upon learning of the situation, the Municipal Defense Council activated rescue teams, who, along with members of the Provincial Defense Council, rushed to assist those trapped by the rising waters, effectively saving lives. The official media praised the crucial role of neighborly solidarity in swiftly relocating affected individuals to higher grounds and second floors.
Controversy Over Lack of Warning
Despite reports that 6,000 residents were evacuated from San Antonio del Sur, many were left in the dark—literally and figuratively—due to a widespread power outage, unaware of the hurricane's imminent threat. Social media users have criticized local authorities for failing to alert those in hazardous areas, with some claiming that their relatives received no warning of the danger.
In addition to the mother and daughter, the other victims include Francisco Columbié Matos (92), Esmerido Noa Fiffe (86), Antolino Arias Domínguez (83), and Alexander Savón Matos (42). Parts of the municipality remain isolated, but damage assessments are underway as weather conditions permit, with rain persisting into the early hours of Tuesday, October 22, as noted by Venceremos.
Present in San Antonio del Sur to support the Municipal Defense Council's decision-making and recovery efforts are Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, Inés María Chapman Waugh, and Vice President of the Provincial Defense Council, Alis Azahares Torreblanca.