As the eastern region of Cuba faces a worsening economic situation, Manuel Falcón, the governor of Santiago de Cuba, has urged residents to "remain calm" despite the scarcity of liquefied gas. This vital resource is crucial for many families who are left without cooking means due to the relentless power outages. "There is no need to panic. We are aware of the cooking difficulties, and we have been exploring several alternatives. We will ensure the continuous distribution of liquefied gas to supply the province's 271,000 customers," Falcón stated. His remarks have sparked outrage among many residents, who argue that the daily hardships, worsened by government policies, have become unbearable.
Social media user Rolando Nápoles criticized Falcón, stating, "Manuel Falcón, governor of Santiago de Cuba, asks residents not to despair over gas shortages. As if life on the island, under the dictatorship he represents, weren't already a daily tragedy for Cubans."
Challenges in Eastern Cuba
The situation is particularly dire in eastern Cuba, where Hurricane Oscar recently caused severe flooding and destruction in the municipalities of San Antonio del Sur and Imías, located in Guantánamo province. During a visit by President Miguel Díaz-Canel to the affected area, a man responsible for 29 children at a special school accused the government of abandoning them just before the cyclone made landfall on October 20.
Despite Díaz-Canel's attempts to justify the lack of support by claiming that "no Cuban has been abandoned," locals expressed their dissatisfaction with the shortage of resources and the slow governmental response.
Power Outages Compound the Crisis
Since last Friday, widespread power outages have left a significant portion of the population without electricity for more than 72 hours. This complicates cooking for families in a country that years ago transitioned to electric cooking due to the distribution of electric cookers. In recent days, the lines to purchase gas and charcoal have become endless in Santiago de Cuba.