Severe flooding has submerged the main highway between the cities of Las Tunas and Holguín, posing a significant hazard for those traveling this key route. In a nation where road infrastructure is progressively deteriorating, these conditions are becoming increasingly precarious.
According to a warning shared on Facebook by the user La Tijera, the affected stretch of road is plagued by water accumulation, making travel difficult and increasing the risk of traffic accidents. This situation exacerbates the already perilous condition of roads that suffer from lack of maintenance and drainage systems inadequate to handle severe weather events.
Drivers are being urged to take heightened safety measures to prevent tragedies amid a dire road crisis where each downpour exposes the country's inability to ensure even minimal road safety standards. Cuba's roads and highways are littered with hazards, as evidenced by reports of uncovered manholes and neglected drainage systems.
Just recently, a red trailer truck was involved in an accident in the Havana locality of Mulgoba, veering off the road and into a ditch amid heavy rains affecting the area. In Holguín, recent incidents highlight an alarming trend concerning road safety, where inadequate infrastructure, lack of signage, and a deteriorating vehicle fleet all converge.
Residents of Sagua la Grande, in the province of Villa Clara, have taken to social media to denounce a critically damaged section of road that resembles an earthquake aftermath, yet is merely a reflection of Cuba's neglected infrastructure. This state of disrepair is not isolated; a couple recently documented on Instagram (@losaventurerosgarcia) the alarming condition of the Central Highway between Placetas and Cabaiguán, struggling to navigate massive potholes on a motorcycle. "It feels like we're on the worst road in the world," one traveler remarked.
In April, a motorcyclist reported the dilapidated state of an unfinished bridge on the National Highway between Villa Clara and Cienfuegos, where corroded beams threaten to collapse onto speeding vehicles. Official figures from Santiago de Cuba reveal that nearly 70% of the province's over 6,000 kilometers of roads are in fair or poor condition, despite the 70 million pesos allocated for maintenance this year—a sum insufficient to avert the infrastructure's collapse.
The government itself admits that 75% of Cuban roads are in fair or poor technical condition, confirming the daily reality faced by thousands of Cubans navigating roads that resemble disaster zones.
Key Concerns About Road Safety in Cuba
What are the main issues affecting road safety between Las Tunas and Holguín?
The primary problems include severe flooding, poor maintenance, inefficient drainage systems, and an overall deteriorating road infrastructure.
How is the Cuban government addressing the road infrastructure crisis?
While the government has allocated 70 million pesos for road maintenance, this amount is insufficient to address the widespread deterioration, with 75% of roads in fair or poor condition.
What safety measures should drivers take on Cuban roads?
Drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution, particularly during heavy rains, and to remain vigilant for hazards such as water accumulation and road damage.