A dangerously tilted telecommunications pole, belonging to ETECSA, has become a major concern for the residents of San Vicente Street, nestled between San Francisco and Las Mercedes in the Pueblo Nuevo neighborhood of Matanzas. The locals fear it might collapse at any moment, threatening pedestrians, homes, and essential services.
The alert was brought to public attention on Facebook by Yuni Moliner, a journalist aligned with the government and a resident of the area. She described the situation as critical, stating, "The pole is alarmingly slanted, and the neighbors are worried it could fall at any time, posing a severe risk to people, buildings, and services."
According to the residents, the Electric Company removed the "caballito"—the supportive brace that previously steadied the structure—and stated they couldn't proceed further until ETECSA, the entity responsible for the pole, conducted necessary repairs.
This has left the pole without any additional support, increasing its vulnerability as it continues to deteriorate.
Community Voices Concerns
The Facebook post sparked a wave of indignation and concern from the community. Alexey Oliva highlighted a direct hazard: "The worrying issue is that the cable supporting the pole is tangled up on my balcony," posing an immediate threat to his property.
Isabel Cristina Granados Quijano urged institutional accountability: "The lack of awareness and respect for all those living near this obvious danger is appalling. Act before it's too late; regrets won't help afterward."
Eduardo Cárdenas Alfonso sarcastically commented on the lack of action from authorities: "Offer some money to the company, and they’ll replace it with a new, painted concrete one, or if the first secretary decides to visit, it’ll be fixed instantly."
Rene Garcia Rivero noted that this issue isn't confined to just one street: "My neighborhood faces the same problem. We call and call, but no one answers. Only after it hits someone will it become a real issue."
Systemic Infrastructure Decay in Cuba
This situation is part of a broader pattern of urban infrastructure decay across Cuba. In October 2025, a power pole collapsed in central Santiago de Cuba, with no immediate response from the authorities.
In Matanzas, building collapses are frequent. Just this past May, a section of the old El Confite café in Colón caved in, and by July 2025, the local government had to restrict access to several buildings at risk due to "severe deterioration and lack of maintenance."
ETECSA has been under mounting public scrutiny for the declining state of its physical infrastructure. In June 2025, the company's president publicly apologized and warned of a potential "widespread failure" if urgent adjustments weren't made.
FAQs About ETECSA's Infrastructure Issues in Matanzas
What are the main concerns of the residents regarding the ETECSA pole?
Residents are primarily concerned about the pole's dangerous tilt, fearing that it might collapse, posing a threat to pedestrians, homes, and essential services in the area.
How have local authorities responded to the situation?
The Electric Company removed the supporting brace but stated that no further action could be taken until ETECSA, the pole's responsible entity, conducts repairs. Meanwhile, the pole remains unsupported.
How does this issue relate to broader infrastructure problems in Cuba?
The leaning pole issue is part of a larger pattern of systemic infrastructure decay in Cuba, exemplified by frequent building collapses and other structural failures across the country.