Miguel Díaz-Canel made his way to San Antonio del Sur in Guantánamo this Wednesday, visiting one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Oscar. The storm made landfall in eastern Cuba on Sunday, leaving extensive flooding, isolated communities, missing persons, and a tragic toll of seven confirmed fatalities so far.
Arriving in Guantánamo three days after the hurricane struck, Díaz-Canel attempted to reassure residents, stating, "No Cuban has been left to fend for themselves in this natural disaster." He added, "All of Cuba is here for you. You can rest assured that you are neither alone nor abandoned," addressing the people of Guantánamo.
Delayed Response Amidst National Power Outage
Hurricane Oscar arrived during the initial days of a nationwide blackout, leaving many unaware of the storm's severity due to widespread power outages that cut off communication. Numerous families in rural areas were unable to evacuate in time, resulting in the loss of everything they owned, including livestock, crops, properties, and, tragically, some lives.
Official reports indicate that only 15,000 people were evacuated in Guantánamo: 9,000 from Imías and 6,000 from San Antonio del Sur. The situation remains dire in eastern Cuba, one of the most impoverished regions, with the crisis worsening due to a lack of fuel to prepare the limited food supplies available.
Health Risks and Clean-Up Challenges
As days pass, the risk of epidemics looms if clean water isn't boiled for drinking and if the debris-laden, destroyed areas aren't swiftly cleared. The Cuban leader visited San Antonio del Sur accompanied by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, Provincial PCC Secretary Yoel Pérez García, and a significant entourage of bodyguards and Armed Forces officers.
Images circulating on social media depict the devastation in these communities, with homes submerged, spoiled food, and families struggling to salvage what little remains. Dubbed "the small cyclone Oscar," this storm proved catastrophic for eastern Cuba, and the full extent of the damage remains unknown as the government withholds comprehensive official information.