The dilapidated building housing the duplicate Civil Registry archive in Las Tunas has been closed for over a month due to serious sanitation issues, halting essential services as authorities neglect their responsibilities. On March 6, a municipal health inspector shut down the premises located on Julián Santana Street, between Lico Cruz and Lucas Ortiz, citing the building’s severe deterioration, according to a report by the provincial newspaper 26.
This center safeguards original records of births, marriages, and deaths for all municipalities in Las Tunas, as well as certain citizenship records for Spaniards, particularly those who entered Cuba through Carúpano, Jobabo, Cascarero, and other points in the eastern region. It also handles requests from other provinces to correct legal errors and issue vital documents for national and international processes.
Currently, only two employees remain at the center. "We're missing another registrar, but no one wants to come here. Given these conditions, it's understandable," lamented Maritzabel Concepción Guerra, the principal registrar. The 26 newspaper, which visited the site in May 2023, now reports that the building is even more deteriorated, with "worn walls, an inadequate bathroom," and an "acidic dust that irritates your throat, even if you don’t have allergies."
The Complete Shutdown of Civil Registry Services
Concepción emphasized that the closure has caused a "total shutdown of Civil Registry services in Las Tunas and significantly affects services throughout the country." The services offered include searching for and rectifying errors and providing documents to people with ancestors in the area who need them for various procedures.
The frustration of "seeing that nothing changes," and the lack of concern for the stored records, are notable, according to the newspaper.
Ignored Requests for Repairs
Despite the building’s condition being known for years, there has been no resolution from the authorities. "We've been asking for help from the government across different administrations and other organizations, but solutions are nowhere to be found, even though the importance of the situation is recognized," said María Alina Carralero, head of Organization and Control at the Provincial Directorate of Justice, which oversees the archive.
"These issues are frequently discussed in management meetings and are part of the economic plan; the Minister of Justice is aware and has requested support, but nothing has been done," she added.
The lack of upkeep has even led to health problems among staff. Two employees had to retire due to medical conditions developed at the facility, "because the dust mites, dust, and working conditions are terrible," Concepción warned. Additionally, the remaining two workers also perform cleaning duties, buying their own supplies, as there is no external support, and the state company Labiofam has not been there to fumigate the books, the report disclosed.
Meanwhile, files continue to pile up on deteriorating shelves, among disintegrating bagasse boards and wires in a building that can no longer cope, with its decline evident in every corner. "But this is just a detail amid the collapse, the evident neglect of a place where we all have a stake; even the personal history of those who, by not addressing it thoroughly, have spent a decade looking the other way," concluded the newspaper 26.
For years, citizens and even the Cuban Parliament have raised alarms to restore the deteriorated documentary sources of Cuba in various formats. Cuban citizens have reported the poor condition of archives in civil registries nationwide, with documents in a severe state of decay, lost records, and complex processes to obtain them.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Civil Registry Crisis in Las Tunas
Why was the Civil Registry in Las Tunas closed?
The Civil Registry in Las Tunas was closed due to severe sanitation issues and the building's advanced deterioration, as determined by a municipal health inspector.
What impact does the closure have on the Civil Registry services?
The closure has completely halted Civil Registry services in Las Tunas and has significant repercussions for similar services across the country, affecting document issuance and legal error correction.
Have there been previous efforts to address the building's condition?
Yes, authorities have been aware of the building's condition for years, but despite requests for assistance from various administrations, no effective solutions have been implemented.