The man who touched hearts worldwide when photographed wading through chest-high water holding a TV during Hurricane Melissa has been identified as Duany Despaine, affectionately known as "Minguito" by his neighbors.
Amidst swirling rumors and misinformation about his alleged death, friends and acquaintances confirmed that he is alive, though he lost his home and all his belongings.
Olia Muguercia, a resident of Santiago de Cuba, revealed the truth on Facebook, dispelling false claims circulating on social media.
"This photo is spreading online. This man's name is Duany Despaine, better known as Minguito. He lives in Santiago de Cuba, and the picture was taken on the Refinery Road. Please share this post: he is alive, so don't believe posts saying he was donated a house and died," she clarified.
In a follow-up post, Muguercia added:
"Here is Minguito, the man with the TV, the viral photo on social media. Thank God he is fine. He doesn't have a phone; he lost everything. His house is flooded. You can message me privately or at my number, and I will relay all information to him," she detailed.
The woman emphasized that the man "is alive, but in very difficult conditions," and called for support to help him regain the basics.
Falsehoods and Frustration Amidst the Chaos
Minguito's story went viral within hours. Captured by photographer Yamil Lage for AFP, the image depicts a man braving the waters with an old television in his arms, encapsulating the resilience, poverty, and despair of the Cuban people in the face of natural disasters.
Soon after the image spread, false reports emerged claiming the man had died of a heart attack, unable to bear the loss of all his possessions.
"It was a blatant lie," activist Lara Crofs denounced, lamenting those "who announce deaths without conscience for likes" and exploit the tragedy.
Yet, misinformation doesn't arise in a vacuum. In a country where the government controls information and official media barely report on the people's suffering, social media has become the sole channel to learn about what truly happens in affected areas.
A Symbol of Cuban Tragedy
Minguito's photograph, taken on the Refinery Road in Santiago de Cuba, captured global attention. Actor Andy Vázquez posted on social media to offer his help: "If anyone knows him, please pass along my phone number (239-470-8181)."
Thousands shared the image, expressing solidarity with the protagonist, recognizing in him the living image of scarcity and daily struggle in Cuba.
"How sad, to lose your belongings and know you can't get them back. In Cuba, a TV is a luxury, something that takes years to acquire," wrote one internet user.
The television Minguito tried to save—a vintage analog set—is not just an object but a symbol of the little left to protect in a country where misery has replaced hope.
Official Silence and Neglect
As the photo circulated and became emblematic of the disaster, Cuban state media remained silent, focusing their coverage on the government's "recovery efforts" and avoiding showing the true extent of the disaster.
No authority has mentioned Minguito or publicly acknowledged the extreme conditions thousands of families faced after the hurricane.
In Santiago de Cuba, Hurricane Melissa devastated entire neighborhoods, causing floods, collapses, and widespread power outages. The San Juan and Cauto rivers overflowed, leaving entire communities underwater.
Numerous social media accounts detail families trapped on their rooftops without food, waiting for delayed state assistance, while local authorities merely repeat calls to "stay calm and trust in the institutions."
Cuba's Struggle Amid Poverty and Propaganda
Minguito's case is not isolated but portrays the silent drama faced by thousands of Cubans in the country's eastern region, where the hurricane's devastation adds to years of neglect, economic crisis, and chronic shortages.
While leaders insist on blaming the embargo for the lack of resources, people confront alone the consequences of the nation's structural collapse: crumbling homes, dams at risk, streets turned into rivers, and infrastructure unable to withstand.
The image of the man holding his TV amidst the waters not only moved the world; it laid bare the fragility of a nation where survival has become an act of heroism.
And though Minguito is alive, his story—like so many others—reveals a truth the regime attempts to hide: Cuba remains submerged, not just under the hurricane's waters but under the waves of its own misery.
Understanding the Impact of Misinformation in Cuba
Why is social media crucial in Cuba during disasters?
Social media serves as a vital channel for real-time information, as government control over official media limits the flow of accurate news about the suffering of the population.
What does Minguito's story symbolize for Cubans?
Minguito's story symbolizes the resilience and struggle of everyday Cubans in the face of poverty, natural disasters, and systemic neglect by the regime.
How has the Cuban government responded to the hurricane's aftermath?
The Cuban government has focused its narrative on recovery efforts, avoiding acknowledgment of the full extent of the disaster and the dire conditions many families face.