Yirmara Torres Hernández, a journalist from Matanzas associated with state-run radio, has once again openly criticized the government's management of the ongoing health crisis in Matanzas. She highlighted that just a few months ago, officials dismissed concerns about the chikungunya outbreak, labeling those who raised alarms as "alarmists."
"Three months ago, we were called alarmists and chikungunya wasn't deemed serious. What changed?" she wrote on Facebook, directly challenging local health institutions with her post.
Torres's comments came amid one of the most intense periods of the epidemic in Matanzas, where residents have been vocal about the lack of fumigation, medicine shortages, neglected unsanitary areas, and a growing number of patients, while the government continues to claim the situation is manageable.
Her post followed the death of a woman from her son's neighborhood, who succumbed to chikungunya while battling a pre-existing condition.
"They say there are no deaths, but there are," she stated, directly contradicting health authorities who have denied any fatalities linked to the epidemic.
The official response to her initial post was swift. State radio station Radio 26, where Torres is employed, issued a statement discrediting her claims, accusing "foreign digital platforms" of "manipulating" her words and taking them out of context.
According to the statement—released by Odalys Oriol Miranda Suárez, the provincial director of Radio—Torres's publication "does not reflect a genuine concern" and was framed as an "attack on the system."
Radio 26's statement defended the local health system, asserting that authorities are acting with "transparency" and categorically denied any concealment of deaths related to arboviruses.
The organization also emphasized that Torres "does not hold any leadership positions," a clear attempt to distance itself from her testimony and frame it as a personal opinion with no institutional significance.
A Rare Challenge from Within the System
The regime's discomfort with Torres's post stems from the fact that her voice originates from within the state media apparatus, an environment where it's uncommon for press workers to publicly challenge the official narrative.
Her message, widely shared on social media, has brought to the forefront issues of poor epidemiological control, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate responses from health authorities.
Torres has painted a picture of a community living in fear of illness, plagued by drug shortages, water scarcity, mosquito infestations, and a lack of regular fumigation.
Her son, deeply affected by the neighbor's death, provided the testimony that encouraged her to speak out.
The chikungunya outbreak in Matanzas has sparked widespread concern both within and beyond the region.
Authorities, however, continue to deny any deaths associated with the outbreak, despite numerous reports from citizens of critical cases, severe complications, and deaths among vulnerable individuals.
In this context, Yirmara Torres's intervention has acted as a crack in the official narrative.
Her assertion—“Three months ago, we were called alarmists”—serves as a reminder that since the outbreak began, many in Matanzas have reported severe symptoms, overwhelmed health services, and a steady increase in patients, all while the state has downplayed the warnings.
Torres's message resonated, particularly because it comes from a state media worker who, despite her role within the system, decided to publicly reveal the realities faced by thousands of families in Matanzas.
Her denunciation forces attention to a reality the authorities have tried to downplay and reopens the question she initially posed.
Key Concerns about the Matanzas Health Crisis
What has Yirmara Torres accused the government of regarding the health crisis?
Yirmara Torres has accused the government of downplaying the seriousness of the chikungunya outbreak and labeling concerned citizens as alarmists. She highlighted the lack of effective measures, such as fumigation and adequate medical supplies, to control the epidemic.
How has the government responded to Torres's claims?
In response to Torres's claims, the state radio station where she works issued a statement discrediting her allegations and accusing foreign digital platforms of taking her words out of context. The government maintains that the health situation is under control and denies any deaths linked to the epidemic.