The recent passage of Hurricane Melissa through eastern Cuba has left a significant mark on the town of El Cobre, situated in Santiago de Cuba province. The damage to the road infrastructure has been described as "severe" by officials from the regime itself.
In a Facebook post, the Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, revealed that a team led by First Deputy Minister Luis Roberto Rosés, along with members of the Communist Party of Cuba, conducted an on-site inspection on Saturday. They confirmed the serious deterioration of roads that connect several rural communities.
Critical Situation in Affected Areas
El Pajuil and Ampliación de Combatientes are among the hardest-hit areas, where residents are facing dire circumstances. In El Pajuil, vehicular access has been completely cut off, forcing inhabitants to wade through rivers on foot to reach their homes, thus endangering their lives.
In Ampliación de Combatientes, a landslide has caused a significant erosion of the roadway, threatening the stability of the route and potentially worsening the isolation of the residents unless immediate action is taken.
Efforts to Restore Connectivity
Rodríguez Dávila emphasized that the Ministry of Transportation is collaborating with local authorities to restore access to the affected communities. However, he did not provide a specific timeline for recovery.
The inspection aimed to assess the logistics of transporting resources and passengers. Additionally, they were tasked with overseeing the cleanup and restoration efforts being carried out by a brigade from the province of Camagüey.
Broader Impact of the Hurricane
Beyond the damaged roads, the hurricane has left homes destroyed, streets blocked, and entire families without basic necessities. "Ninety percent of El Cobre is left with nothing," residents told state-run media outlets.
This community has historically struggled with government neglect and poverty. Now, it faces the challenge of rebuilding amidst a national economic crisis and increasingly scarce resources.
Impact of Hurricane Melissa in Cuba
What areas were most affected by Hurricane Melissa in El Cobre?
El Pajuil and Ampliación de Combatientes were the most severely impacted areas, facing road blockages and landslides.
How is the Cuban government responding to the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa?
The Ministry of Transportation is working with local authorities to restore access, but no clear recovery timeline has been given.
What challenges does El Cobre face in rebuilding after the hurricane?
El Cobre must contend with government neglect, poverty, and a national economic crisis, making reconstruction efforts difficult.