On Tuesday, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel took to social media to announce the tragic increase in the death toll from Hurricane Oscar, which has now claimed seven lives in eastern Cuba. During a special session of the National Defense Council (CDN), it was confirmed that the hurricane, which made landfall in Guantánamo on Sunday before weakening to a tropical storm, has been particularly deadly.
In a post on the social platform X, Díaz-Canel shared, "We have learned of another tragic loss in Imías, bringing the total number of victims to seven as a result of this natural disaster." Earlier, he had reported the deaths of six individuals in San Antonio del Sur and expressed his profound sorrow over the situation, extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and friends.
The victims of Hurricane Oscar include a Cuban mother and her five-year-old daughter, who tragically lost their lives, likely during the early hours as the storm battered the eastern region. In his announcement, Diaz-Canel stressed the critical need to assess the damage in each affected area and to swiftly plan recovery actions as soon as conditions permit.
He emphasized allocating the necessary resources to safeguard the population and expedite repairs, while also highlighting the importance of effectively coordinating relief efforts to ensure aid reaches the most impacted areas as quickly as possible. Each donation is deemed crucial at this time, and the government is committed to utilizing available resources to ease the plight of those affected.
Currently, Imías and other communities in the province of Guantánamo remain isolated due to severe flooding. Torrential rains have led to significant river surges, resulting in extensive damage to the eastern locality.
Finally, during the extraordinary CDN meeting, Díaz-Canel reported that the restoration of the electrical system is about 70% complete and expressed optimism about further progress. He also instructed prioritizing recovery efforts in the most severely impacted provinces to promptly address the hurricane's aftermath.