Over a day after a fire erupted in a military ammunition warehouse in the Holguín community of Melones, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz finally conveyed his condolences via social media. On his account on X, he expressed deep regret for the tragic event and stated that he is closely monitoring the investigation into its causes. "Our full solidarity with the families of the 13 missing individuals," he concluded.
The delay in his response and the perceived distortion of facts incited a wave of criticism. "Minister, how long it took you to offer 'condolences' for the tragic incident! You have no idea of the helplessness and frustration of a parent forced to have their child undergo military service against their will," one user remarked.
Another individual criticized, "Unbelievable to call it a fire; it was negligence or failure to follow protocol. Irresponsible, a massive explosion. 13 dead." A mother voiced her anger, "They are deceased, not missing. This is all the dictatorship's fault for sending young men to disarm bombs without proper training. Their blood is on your hands. Murderers!" Another questioned, "How long will there be innocent victims from accidents without a single person held accountable?"
Marrero's tweet closely mirrored one posted by Miguel Díaz-Canel hours earlier. The only difference was the order of sentences, yet they even used the same photograph. "We deeply regret the fire that occurred in a MINFAR warehouse in Melones, Rafael Freyre municipality. We stand in solidarity with the families of the 13 missing individuals. Full attention is being given to the incident, and the causes are under investigation," read the message from the leader's account on X.
The leader's audacity was such that he managed to extend condolences to the people and government of China for an earthquake in Tibet before addressing the disaster in Holguín that resulted in 13 casualties, including young recruits fulfilling military service. It took over six hours from the first official report on the explosions at the FAR arsenal for Díaz-Canel to publicly acknowledge the event.
Cuban activist Miryorly García criticized the official media for their limited coverage of the Holguín incident, while dedicating extensive reports to Díaz-Canel's recent excursion to the Sierra Maestra, where he was filmed celebrating. This oversight was heavily criticized amid the emergency and tragedy unfolding in Holguín, where 13 families are devastated by the disappearance and likely death of their loved ones.
Hours after the incident, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) had not yet released any findings regarding potential casualties. A brief note hinted at possible victims and revealed that 361 individuals living nearby had been evacuated. It was later confirmed that 13 people are missing: four officers and nine soldiers, whom many already presume dead.
Nevertheless, authorities have not provided details on the ages or circumstances of the incident, fueling the distrust and anguish among the affected families.
Understanding the Holguín Munitions Explosion
What caused the explosion in Holguín?
The exact cause of the explosion in Holguín is still under investigation. However, there are criticisms regarding negligence or failure to follow safety protocols.
How many people are missing due to the Holguín explosion?
There are 13 individuals reported missing, including four officers and nine soldiers.
What has been the response of Cuban officials to the incident?
Cuban officials, including Manuel Marrero and Miguel Díaz-Canel, have expressed condolences and stated that investigations are ongoing. However, their delayed responses have been widely criticized.