Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel made rounds on Tuesday in several communities within Río Cauto, a municipality in Granma Province severely hit by the floods triggered by Hurricane Melissa. As per his usual rhetoric, he pledged support and reconstruction efforts, promises that many Cubans feel are rarely fulfilled.
According to a report on the Presidencia Cuba Facebook page, Díaz-Canel, who also heads the National Defense Council, toured El Recreo, a community where more than 14,000 residents had to be evacuated.
During his visit, he assured locals that "no one will be left without support" and promised that "the country will help them rise again."
Farmers and residents recounted to the official how Hurricane Melissa and subsequent flooding resulted in the loss of months of labor on yucca, sweet potato, banana plantations, and a road built just last year.
In El Recreo, one of the hardest-hit areas, crops such as peppers, pumpkins, corn, and sweet potatoes were completely destroyed. The majority of homes suffered damage, with many families losing everything.
Out of the 20,570 residents in the municipality, over 14,000 were displaced to makeshift shelters or the homes of relatives.
Accompanied by local Communist Party officials, Díaz-Canel inquired about the status of water and food supplies, urging adherence to "health safety protocols."
The leader also visited the San Marcos settlement, where producers from the Carlos Bastidas Azcuy Cooperative detailed their losses in plantations and rural roads washed away by the swollen Río Cauto.
"You are hardworking people, you will recover. The most important thing is that we are alive," Díaz-Canel stated, without providing concrete details on the aid the victims will receive or timelines for reconstruction.
The same rhetoric was repeated, promising that "nobody will be left helpless." Yet, in areas still waiting for repairs from the damage caused by Hurricane Ian (2022) or 2023's floods, these words seem to fall flat.
In Camilo Cienfuegos, another Río Cauto community, over 1,000 individuals were evacuated following the river's overflow.
Díaz-Canel also stopped by the evacuation center at the Batalla de Guisa school, which currently houses about 600 people. There, he called for "patience," cautioning that returning home should only happen "when conditions allow."
Hurricane Melissa's passage left a bleak scene in eastern Cuba: thousands of homes destroyed, lost crops, impassable roads, and isolated communities.
Despite the devastation, the government has yet to present a clear reconstruction plan, sticking instead to official visits and promises.
Key Questions About Post-Hurricane Melissa Recovery in Cuba
What actions has the Cuban government promised following Hurricane Melissa?
The Cuban government, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel, has pledged support and reconstruction efforts, promising that no one will be left without help.
How many residents were evacuated due to Hurricane Melissa?
Over 14,000 residents of Río Cauto were evacuated due to the severe flooding caused by Hurricane Melissa.
What are the main challenges faced by affected communities?
Communities are dealing with destroyed homes, lost crops, impassable roads, and the lack of a clear reconstruction plan from the government.