On Wednesday, Miguel Díaz-Canel toured the region of Artemisa, documenting his visit on social media. He was seen walking alongside an elderly woman, identified as the delegate of the Pueblo Nuevo Popular Council. During his interaction with the community, Díaz-Canel emphasized that strategic priorities have been set, focusing on sanitation, electrical systems, and water supply. "We are making progress because we will move forward," he declared, surrounded by populist slogans. The delegate fervently proclaimed, "Rely on Pueblo Nuevo Popular Council because we have Artemisa's spirit."
Díaz-Canel expressed confidence in the efforts made, stating, "I believe we have worked with organization and willingness... Everyone who was asked to come, came. Progress has been made," comparing the current disaster to the aftermath on the first day post-hurricane. Consistent with the regime's usual optimistic propaganda, the successor to Raúl Castro claimed that the territory hardest hit by Hurricane Rafael "rises with everyone's help," as he wrote on the platform X (formerly Twitter), without clarifying what he meant by 'rises.'
During his conversation with locals, Díaz-Canel was approached by the Popular Power delegate, who, according to her, has held the position for 33 years. She was notably affectionate with the leader and agreed that residents must assist in tasks such as digging holes, clearing areas for pole installation, and gathering trash for collection.
This marks the third visit by Díaz-Canel to Artemisa following Hurricane Rafael, with the first occurring on November 7th, just a day after the storm. On this visit, he inspected the work to replace six high-voltage towers toppled by severe winds near the Havana-Pinar highway at kilometer 32. These towers connect Mariel with the Pinar region.
Rebuilding Efforts and Challenges
According to Cuban television, crews are currently dismantling damaged structures to replace them with new ones, aiming to erect the first tower within three days and continuing in sequence. The recovery efforts are estimated to take approximately 18 days.
Díaz-Canel also visited the Ciro Redondo Hospital in Artemisa, where the director, Niurka Larrionda Valdés, reported that the main damage from winds exceeding 100 km/h was to glass windows and false ceilings, resulting in leaks. She assured that there were "no power outages at any time," with a steady supply of fuel for generators and water pumps.
Summing up his visit, the leader made a grandiose statement echoed by state media: "Now the hospital will be more beautiful than before." He also promised improvements to certain water pumping facilities.
Impact of Hurricane Rafael
Hurricane Rafael damaged nearly 50 sports facilities in Artemisa, with destruction ranging from structural collapses to equipment loss, affecting 48 locations, including the 26 de Julio baseball stadium. The storm exacerbated the existing crisis in the healthcare sector, impacting 119 centers across the province's 11 municipalities.
Following Rafael's onslaught, 87.09% of Artemisa lost electricity. Only 26,384 customers, or 12.91%, had power restored a week after the hurricane struck western Cuba.
Continuing the Recovery in Maisí
After visiting Artemisa, Díaz-Canel traveled to Maisí on Thursday, reiterating his populist rhetoric. "Guantánamo rises, three weeks after Hurricane Oscar," he posted on X. His meeting with Maisí residents was particularly notable, where he claimed a 99.7% recovery of the electrical system. However, those present remained silent and appeared disheartened.