After Hurricane Melissa swept through eastern Cuba, the socialist regime is not only asserting that there were no fatalities but also insisting that the storm left not a single person injured, despite the evident destruction across the affected provinces.
In a session of the National Defense Council broadcasted on the presidential program, Joaquín Alonso Vázquez, the Minister of Economy and Planning, stated, "We have not had to mourn any deaths or injuries due to the hurricane's passage."
"The decisions of the National Defense Council have been followed before, during, and after the hurricane, and they continue to be monitored constantly," Alonso emphasized, highlighting the role of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior in evacuating the population.
According to Alonso, the "decisive and commendable actions" of these entities ensured the protection of lives in the affected regions, even when evacuations took place post-impact.
The minister's statements starkly contrast with the scenes of devastation left by Melissa in eastern Cuba.
Reports from the United Nations and humanitarian agencies describe severe damage to over 60,000 homes, 1,500 schools, and hundreds of medical facilities, alongside millions of people suffering from lost crops, service disruptions, and communication breakdowns.
The UN's Action Plan for the Recovery of Eastern Cuba, released this week, described the hurricane's impact as "deep and widespread," with communities still isolated and thousands of families lacking access to clean water, electricity, or healthcare.
Despite the clear humanitarian crisis, Cuban authorities continue to promote a narrative of institutional success and damage control, downplaying the human toll of the disaster.
Meanwhile, those affected persist in voicing their plight over the lack of food, medicine, and adequate shelters through social media and local outlets.
Minister Alonso's remarks align with the regime's established practice of denying casualties or injuries in natural disasters, a common tactic in state propaganda aimed at projecting the civil defense system's efficiency, even in the face of significant emergencies.
Questions About the Impact of Hurricane Melissa on Cuba
What was the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in Cuba?
Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to over 60,000 homes, 1,500 schools, and hundreds of medical facilities, as well as significant disruptions to crops, services, and communications.
How did the Cuban regime respond to the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa?
The Cuban regime has maintained a narrative of success and control, downplaying the human impact and emphasizing institutional efficiency in handling the disaster.
What criticisms have been raised against the Cuban government's handling of the hurricane?
Critics have pointed out the regime's reluctance to acknowledge casualties or injuries, a typical approach in state propaganda to project an image of efficiency, despite the evident humanitarian crisis.