A surprise inspection of state facilities in Guantánamo has exposed significant lapses in security and management, highlighting a troubling disarray during the ongoing energy crisis. According to the official newspaper Venceremos, the inspection, led by Yoel Pérez García, the province's first Party secretary, and Omar Estrada Soto, the provincial government coordinator, uncovered guards who were absent, asleep, or poorly stationed at key warehouses, including those for Construction Materials.
At the UEB Frutas Selectas Guantánamo, the sole guard on duty was found sound asleep, revealing the vulnerability of this crucial infrastructure. However, security wasn't the only issue. At the Dairy Products Company, several posts were left unattended, while the management office was deserted.
The Caridad Jaca Nursing Home showed a shocking lack of protection for its residents, necessitating an increase in security staff and the establishment of a command post, measures that underscore the neglect of the most vulnerable sectors.
"In the 655 warehouses of the Wholesale Company, guards were poorly positioned, clustering in three areas near the entrance and two at the front of a storage building. The latter were nearly asleep, leaving critical facilities unprotected," Venceremos reported.
While some areas, like the Beverages and Soft Drinks Company, demonstrated adequate performance, most of the inspected facilities displayed a disturbing lack of organization, exacerbated by persistent energy crises.
Amidst ongoing issues like resource diversion and illegal activities, these security failures not only leave facilities exposed but also highlight the system's inability to effectively address current demands.
However, the Guantánamo government seems oblivious to the other side of the issue: the extreme vulnerability and neglect faced by guards at state facilities, who work without proper equipment and contend with increasing violence, including forceful thefts.
A woman working as a guard at the Norte Juan de la Cruz Martínez Maceira Children's Hospital, known as "La Ondi" in Santiago de Cuba, was attacked and injured by two young men, as reported on Sunday.
In a preliminary Facebook report, communicator Yosmany Mayeta also criticized the police for not visiting the scene to investigate, instead instructing the assaulted worker to make a statement at the station.
At the end of November, thefts were also reported involving patients and companions at the Sur Dr. Antonio María Béguez César Children's Hospital in Santiago de Cuba.
The assault on the guard occurred just weeks after the murders of two other guards on duty at their workplaces: the state agricultural market El Santiaguero and the Café Continental restaurant. Another attack on a third guard at the El Acuario restaurant, who survived the assault, was also reported.
Security Challenges in Guantánamo's State Facilities
What were the main findings of the inspection in Guantánamo's state facilities?
The inspection revealed severe deficiencies in security and organization, with guards found absent, asleep, or poorly stationed, leaving critical infrastructure vulnerable.
How is the energy crisis affecting these facilities?
The ongoing energy crisis is exacerbating organizational issues, making it difficult for facilities to maintain adequate security and functionality.
What incidents have occurred due to inadequate security?
There have been assaults and thefts, including attacks on guards and thefts from patients and staff at hospitals, highlighting the consequences of inadequate security measures.