On Friday, numerous residents from the Ho Chi Minh neighborhood in Guantánamo took to the streets, demanding immediate assistance and answers regarding the prolonged lack of potable water and electricity following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
The demonstration, which gathered around a hundred individuals, highlighted the community's grievances over ongoing shortages of basic services, food scarcity, and a lack of official communication about recovery efforts. Even after the arrival of police and State Security officers, tensions remained high as they sought to disperse the crowd.
Reports from José Raúl Gallegos and the outlet Martí Noticias paint a picture of institutional neglect and social urgency. “We are desperate. We have no electricity, no water, and nobody is giving us answers. There are children and elderly people here who cannot continue like this,” stated a local resident who wished to remain anonymous when communicating with our newsroom.
Protestors confronted local officials and workers from the electric company. “This is a dictatorship, the whole world knows it,” expressed one source. “We are not dogs; we are people,” and questioned, “How long will this abuse continue?”
They also accused authorities of hoarding donations meant for the community, stating they've spent "days sleeping without power." The protest was centered at the intersection of Moncada and 12th South streets, near the neighborhood's general store tent.
Local activist Miguel Ángel López Herrera, who lives in the area, observed that frustration peaked when, after enduring months of shortages, families received merely “two pounds of rice.” This was corroborated by Martí Noticias.
“People can't take it anymore. There are too many illnesses and no medicines. Every house was affected by the hurricane, many without roofs,” López Herrera added.
Videos circulated on social media showed the moment when residents demanded the presence of authorities and called for "an effective response" to the humanitarian crisis.
Reports indicate that the protest eventually subsided following police and State Security intervention. No arrests were reported at the scene, but local sources warned that tensions remain high and the restoration of services is still uncertain.
As of the latest updates, there were no official statements regarding the residents' demands, nor clear information on the status of the electrical and water supply networks in the municipality.
The situation in Ho Chi Minh is part of a broader regional crisis: Hurricane Melissa inflicted severe damage across the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín, causing widespread flooding and damage to homes, roads, electrical, and telecommunications networks.
In the provincial capital, residents report that repair crews and emergency teams have yet to reach all critical areas, while prolonged outages, food shortages, and high temperatures exacerbate the population's health and emotional well-being.
Key Issues and Responses in Guantánamo After Hurricane Melissa
What sparked the protest in the Ho Chi Minh neighborhood of Guantánamo?
The protest was triggered by the prolonged lack of basic services such as water and electricity, food shortages, and a lack of official communication following Hurricane Melissa.
How did authorities respond to the demonstration?
Police and State Security officers arrived on the scene to disperse the crowd, though tensions remained high. No arrests were reported, but local sources indicate that the situation remains volatile.
What are the broader impacts of Hurricane Melissa in the region?
Hurricane Melissa caused significant damage in the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín, leading to flooding, destruction of homes, and disruptions to road, electrical, and telecommunications infrastructure.