A group of Cubans evacuated due to Hurricane Melissa was captured on video aboard a military helicopter as they returned to their homes in the 13 de Agosto community in Santiago de Cuba.
The event was broadcast live on Facebook by Yordanis Rodríguez, who described it as a "humanitarian operation" orchestrated by the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) to ensure the return of residents who had been cut off by land routes. In his post, he wrote, "Humanitarian Operation: Evacuated residents from the 13 de Agosto community in Santiago de #Cuba return home," adding that the FAR "has successfully ensured the return of residents who had been evacuated due to land communication issues," referring to the flight as "a significant step towards normalizing life in the region."
The footage shows several individuals—including women and children—seated inside the helicopter with their belongings. One passenger, holding a small girl on her lap, starts shouting "Long live Cuba!" to which the others respond "Long live!" She continues with "Long live the Revolution!" and "Commander in chief!" with the group replying "At your command!" At another point, she is heard saying, "On the front line of combat! Melissa tried to destroy us, but the Revolution is stronger! Long live Cuba, long live Cuba!"
A Telesur journalist accompanied the flight and narrated that "these people were in isolated areas, and the Revolutionary Armed Forces evacuated them, and now they are returning to this community, Trece de Agosto. A Telesur team is making this journey through Santiago de Cuba." A Cuban flag is visibly hung on the back wall of the helicopter compartment.
Hours later, the video was shared on the CiberCuba Noticias page, generating thousands of reactions and comments. "Without even knowing what awaits them or if their homes are still standing, these people choose to play along with political propaganda," read the description of the post, which was widely discussed by social media users.
Among the most notable responses, some netizens criticized the use of political slogans in an emergency context: "I don't understand why everything has to turn into a political act, even an evacuation," one user commented; "these people don’t know if they have a house to return to and what they shout is 'Long live the Revolution.' It’s sad," another said. Others, however, defended the evacuees' gesture as a sign of relief and hope: "After what they went through, it's normal to be thankful for being alive," an internet user wrote.
The presence of a dog on the helicopter also sparked comments, as it occurred shortly after national outrage over the case of a dog abandoned during evacuations in Granma province. On that occasion, the Animal Welfare Cuba (BAC-Habana) organization denounced the incident and issued an urgent call to find the animal, which had become a symbol of neglect and institutional apathy. "This is not just another post. It's the cry of a little dog left alone, watching the sky where its friend disappeared," BAC wrote on its Facebook profile.
The contrast between the two events—the controversy over the abandoned dog in Bayamo and the image of the recent flight with a dog aboard with its owner—did not go unnoticed by many users, who viewed the recent images as a possible response to the previous uproar or a way to counteract public criticism of official rescues.
Insight into Cuba's Evacuation and Political Climate
What was the purpose of the helicopter flight in Santiago de Cuba?
The helicopter flight was part of a humanitarian operation organized by the Revolutionary Armed Forces to return residents of the 13 de Agosto community who had been isolated due to Hurricane Melissa.
Why did the evacuees chant political slogans during their return?
The evacuees chanted political slogans as a demonstration of support for the Cuban government and the Revolution, viewing their evacuation and safe return as a triumph over the challenges posed by Hurricane Melissa.
What was the public reaction to the helicopter evacuation video?
The video generated mixed reactions; some criticized the use of political slogans in a crisis, while others saw it as an expression of relief and gratitude for survival.