A recent visit by Cuban government Vice President Inés María Chapman to Manzanillo, located in the Granma province, turned into a vocal outcry over the lack of potable water and the decline of basic services in the area. A video that has gone viral, though it dates back to September 24, captures Chapman, accompanied by Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), as they toured several neighborhoods to assess the water supply crisis.
However, what was meant to be an assessment quickly transformed into a scene of collective frustration and direct complaints against the government. In the Gutiérrez district, residents seized the opportunity to voice their anger over the absence of tangible solutions.
"Everything is getting worse here, and personally, I haven't seen anyone trying to fix anything. My husband has had back surgery, and we don't even have water," one woman expressed, while others noted that even the local hospital lacks a stable water supply.
Another woman lamented, "They haven’t provided fuel, and after she came, everything got worse. There's no water even in the hospital," visibly upset by the leaders' inaction. A man highlighted that although leader Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that power outages should not exceed 20 hours daily, their town endures up to 35 consecutive hours without electricity. The grievances, captured by locals and shared on social media, reflect the exasperation of a community worn out by years of deprivation.
In the circulated footage, residents are seen confronting Chapman and Rodríguez directly, denouncing the government's unfulfilled promises. "No one ever comes here, only when there are cameras or important visits, but the water never arrives. Neither the hospital nor the homes have any," a man shouted from the crowd.
Clearly uncomfortable, the vice prime minister assured that "efforts are being made" to improve the water supply and pledged to return in October. However, it remains uncertain whether she has fulfilled her promise to revisit Manzanillo since September.
Persistent Water Crisis in Manzanillo
The water issue in Manzanillo is longstanding. Residents report that the service is unreliable, with interruptions lasting weeks. Local wells are contaminated, and the pumping system suffers from maintenance and fuel shortages, leading to deteriorating sanitary conditions that impact hospitals, schools, and homes.
Independent media sources have gathered testimonies indicating that officials typically visit the area following social media complaints, but their assurances vanish once the cameras are gone. "After they came, everything got worse," residents repeat.
Understanding Manzanillo's Challenges
What issues did the residents of Manzanillo raise during the visit?
Residents raised concerns about insufficient water supply, unreliable electricity, and the lack of tangible solutions from the government.
How did Vice President Chapman respond to the complaints?
Chapman assured that efforts are underway to address the water supply issues and committed to returning in October to follow up on the situation.
What are the main causes of the water crisis in Manzanillo?
The water crisis is primarily caused by unreliable service, contamination of local wells, and a failing pumping system due to a lack of maintenance and fuel.
Have there been previous attempts to resolve these issues?
While authorities have visited the area in response to social media complaints, residents claim that promises for improvement have not been fulfilled.