In the wake of Hurricane Oscar's devastation in Guantánamo, a local resident has expressed outrage over the government selling her a mattress for 735 pesos. This woman, living in Baracoa, shared a video displaying the mattress—described as barely more than a mat due to its thinness—and highlighted that it was meant for a cancer patient. "It bends because it's useless," she exclaimed, frustrated that she had been promised a standard bed mattress only to receive "this garbage" instead.
The individual recording the video claimed that these mattresses were donations from other countries, asserting that the Cuban government "offers nothing." "Look at how they treat the residents, the victims, by selling them these mattresses," he emphasized.
The video gained attention after being posted on the Facebook page of singer Saúl Manuel, who criticized the regime for selling donated items to hurricane victims who had lost everything. "I won't delve into the aid that the United States or any respectable country provides following a natural disaster," he remarked.
Distribution Controversy and Government Response
On November 11, state journalist Idolkis Argüelles Berdión reported that mattresses were being distributed to those affected in the municipalities of San Antonio del Sur, Imías, and Baracoa following Hurricane Oscar. She shared images on Facebook of numerous mattresses that had arrived in Guantánamo for the hurricane survivors.
Rafael Jiménez Martínez, the commercial head of the provincial trade group, stated that the local retail network received approximately 5,213 items, which were to be distributed either as donations or for sale. "Donations are completely free; the rest are sold with a 50% discount, subsidized by the state budget," he clarified.
The report further indicated that the municipal defense councils were responsible for coordinating the distribution of mattresses, prioritizing delivery to children with health issues, bedridden individuals, postpartum women, and social welfare recipients.