The Cuban government has dismissed recent social media rumors suggesting a potential collapse risk of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes dam, situated in the Contramaestre municipality of Santiago de Cuba.
Journalist Giordan Rodríguez Milanés took to Facebook to clarify that there is no danger or structural damage to the dam. He quoted Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, the president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), who assured from the site, "There is absolutely no risk, not here nor at any other dam in the country."
Rodríguez Milanés criticized certain media figures for spreading information without verifying sources or cross-checking facts, which unnecessarily alarmed residents of Contramaestre and nearby areas.
The denial followed a Facebook post by user Arnoldo Fernández, which warned of slides in the dam's structure and a potential collapse, accompanied by out-of-context images labeled "FAKE" by Rodríguez Milanés.
Clarifying Misunderstandings
The INRH president explained that although there was a slide in the vegetation layer on the dam's dry slope, this area poses no danger. The dam's technical parameters remain intact. A technical brigade from Granma is set to restore the affected area.
The Carlos Manuel de Céspedes dam is a crucial water source for several communities in Contramaestre, making the spread of rumors particularly concerning for residents.
INRH authorities reiterated that dam monitoring across the country is ongoing and there is no threat to the public. "The population can rest assured," stated Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez in a video from Santiago de Cuba.
Questions About the Contramaestre Dam Situation
What sparked the rumors about the Contramaestre dam?
The rumors began with a Facebook post by Arnoldo Fernández, which claimed there were slides and a risk of collapse, supported by misleading images.
How did the authorities respond to the rumors?
Authorities, including INRH president Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, directly addressed the rumors, confirming the structural integrity of the dam and labeling the claims as false.