Daymarelis Rosales Milán, a resident of Cuba, took to social media to issue a powerful public message aimed at the Cuban authorities, particularly targeting leader Miguel Díaz-Canel. Her post came in the wake of an incident on July 31 at 8:00 a.m. in El Cucan, located in Granma Province. Rosales shared her message in a Facebook group called Revolico Jiguaní, detailing how both a car and a rescue vehicle caught fire. The blaze, fueled by severe drought and a complete lack of water in the area, quickly spiraled out of control.
“Despite their best efforts, the community couldn’t find even a bucket of water to put out the flames,” Rosales lamented. She insisted that the disaster could have been avoided had the authorities fulfilled their duties. “For over three years, this area has been without a pump, and the government and PCC officials have only given us excuses... They’ve had the budget for six months but still haven’t resolved the issue,” she criticized.
Rosales highlighted that the water shortage not only hampers emergency responses but also jeopardizes everyday life for the vulnerable population. "There are elderly people, pregnant women, schoolchildren, and bedridden individuals who have not had access to potable water in their homes for years," she pointed out.
Challenging the authorities, she asked, “Where are the leaders? Where are the officials when a neighborhood lacks water? A neighborhood without water signifies a community exhausted and fed up with hardship.” In her message, she also condemned the steep water prices when it is available, noting that residents have paid up to 300 pesos for a tank. She touched on other chronic shortages, such as food, medicine, and electricity, that deteriorate the quality of life for Cubans.
However, this community is not asking for dignified public services, daily electricity, respect for their rights, or freedom of expression... They simply want a pump, and the state has failed to provide it.
“We are requesting assistance with our pump issue. If other regions received immediate solutions after protesting, we might have to do the same. We’re tired! We don’t need answers; we need solutions, and we know they exist,” she concluded.
Extreme Drought and Official Indifference
The scenario Rosales describes is part of a broader crisis impacting numerous rural and urban areas across Cuba. The island is grappling with severe drought, exacerbated by deteriorating water infrastructure and institutional inaction.
In many municipalities, the lack of potable water has become a chronic and unsustainable problem, affecting the hygiene, health, and safety of thousands of families. In July, Junior González Núñez, the first vice president of the Superior Organization of Business Management (OSDE) Water and Sanitation, stated on national television that around 70% of water service disruptions in the country are linked to electrical issues, either from a generation deficit or low voltage, among others.
Despite continuous public outcry, the Cuban government's solutions remain out of reach, and public discontent is on the rise. Incidents like the one in El Cucan are becoming more frequent, signaling that the patience of the citizenry is nearing its breaking point.
Understanding Cuba's Water Crisis
What caused the fire in El Cucan?
The fire in El Cucan was caused by a car accident, where both the car and the responding rescue vehicle caught fire.
Why couldn't the community put out the fire?
Due to severe drought and a lack of water resources, the community had no means, not even a bucket of water, to extinguish the flames.
How long has El Cucan been without a water pump?
The community has been without a functional water pump for over three years, despite having the budget to resolve the issue.
What are the broader implications of the water crisis in Cuba?
The water crisis in Cuba impacts hygiene, health, and safety, with many families lacking reliable access to potable water. The problem is compounded by infrastructure issues and government inaction.