Enrique Diego Arango Arias, a renowned Cuban seismologist and head of the National Seismological Service of Cuba, addressed public anxiety this Friday by dispelling rumors circulating on social media about supposed impending earthquakes and tsunamis in the Bartlett Trench and Caribbean Sea. His message on Facebook came in response to a surge of inquiries from concerned citizens.
The expert was unequivocal: "None of these earthquake warnings or alarms have been issued by any scientific institution dedicated to the study or research of seismic activity in Cuba or the Caribbean."
Arango criticized the credibility of those spreading these predictions: "To my knowledge, none of those issuing these alarms are seismologists. There's no notable name with published articles on earthquake prediction."
He further clarified that there's a significant distinction between public preparedness and the unfounded dissemination of predictions: "Being prepared and aware that we live in a seismic zone is one thing; forecasting earthquakes and tsunamis to alarm the public is another."
Arango reassured the public, noting that if there were any real danger, "the first to inform the population would be CENAIS and the National Civil Defense."
The panic that prompted this public statement is rooted in recent seismic events. On June 24, two earthquakes measuring 7.1 and 7.5 magnitudes struck Venezuela's northern coast, resulting in the collapse of buildings in Caracas, over 100 fatalities, and a tsunami warning for several Caribbean nations, which was later rescinded.
This Friday, a 5.0 magnitude quake, centered 58 km south of Boca de Yuma in La Altagracia, was felt in eastern Dominican Republic, adding to the series of regional seismic activities fueling misinformation.
This sequence includes a magnitude 6.2 quake that shook Pinar del Río on June 8, which also sparked false tsunami alerts for eastern Cuba and Florida.
Among the social media posts circulating, which Arango highlighted as examples, are infographics warning of a "Caribbean on alert: Eastern Cuba must prepare," featuring maps of the Caribbean Sea and close-ups of the island's eastern provinces, along with screenshots from accounts like @focepointreal announcing alerts in various regional countries.
This isn't the first time Arango has intervened to counter misinformation. In November 2024, he debunked theories from foreign geologists following the Pilón earthquakes in Granma, and in 2025, he reported that Cuba experienced over 3,000 earthquakes in the first half of the year.
The Bartlett Trench, also known as the Cayman Trench, is the deepest point in the Caribbean Sea at 7,686 meters and poses the greatest seismic risk to Cuba due to its proximity to the island's eastern part, where Santiago de Cuba records 10 to 15 noticeable earthquakes annually, the highest frequency in the country according to CENAIS.
Understanding Seismic Activity in the Caribbean
What recent events have caused concern about earthquakes in the Caribbean?
Recent events include a 7.1 and 7.5 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Venezuela and a 5.0 magnitude quake near the Dominican Republic, leading to heightened concern and misinformation.
How does CENAIS contribute to public safety during seismic activities?
CENAIS is responsible for monitoring seismic activity and would be the first to inform the public if a real threat was detected, ensuring accurate and timely information is disseminated.
What is the significance of the Bartlett Trench in seismic activity?
The Bartlett Trench, being the deepest point in the Caribbean, poses the greatest seismic threat to Cuba due to its proximity to the eastern part of the island, where tremors are most frequent.