A photographer from Matanzas, who goes by the name El Matancero Errante on social media, recently made a tongue-in-cheek "formal proposal" to the Provincial Government of Matanzas. He offered to keep the Plaza de la Vigía clean and painted, but with certain conditions that the state should already be fulfilling.
Dariel Vicedo, the creator of the Facebook post, outlined his "duties" in the proposal: cleaning the park twice daily and repainting it every three months.
In return, Vicedo demands the provincial government pay him 30,000 Cuban pesos per month via transfer, install a nearby water source, supply cleaning and painting materials, set up solar-powered public lighting, and hire a night watchman.
According to Vicedo, the watchman would help prevent "public defecation, informal sexual contracts, and beggars" from occupying the plaza.
Photos accompanying the post reveal the plaza's current condition: walls defaced with graffiti like "PUBLIC BATHROOM" and "TUGAY," and a decaying ground.
The social media reaction was extensive.
One user lamented, "My God... I haven't been to Matanzas in months, I can't believe the park is like this and that the authorities have done nothing about it."
Another was more cynical: "Don't worry, relax, because none of that will be given; your good intentions and will are what matter."
The 30,000 CUP Vicedo requests as a monthly salary is over four times what a Cuban specialist doctor earns, whose pay ranges from 5,810 to 7,500 pesos.
A commenter candidly pointed out: "You know that a specialist doctor earns around 7,000 a month, right?"
Roberto Armando Hernández left a comment that captured the collective cynicism towards official neglect in three uppercase words: "THE BLOCKADE DOESN'T ALLOW IT."
The proposal is not a genuine offer but rather an ironic critique: the citizen is placing a price on what the state should be providing unconditionally in one of Cuba's most iconic heritage spaces.
Perhaps unintentionally, Vicedo highlighted something obvious: the Cuban government is either unable or unwilling to allocate funds to preserve one of its historical landmarks.
The Plaza de la Vigía is the founding core of Matanzas, established on October 12, 1693. Surrounding it are the Teatro Sauto, the Palacio de Junco —the Provincial Museum's seat, built in 1838— and the Palace of Justice, inaugurated in 1826.
The neglect isn't new. In April 2025, Teatro Sauto had already reported daily vandalism on its portals facing the plaza: crude inscriptions, systematic use as a public restroom, theft of chains, and a total lack of nighttime surveillance.
More than a year later, Vicedo lists the exact same issues, highlighting the government's inaction.
The plaza's decay is part of a broader pattern.
In June, leaks were reported in the recently restored Teatro Sauto, and during the same month, the neglect of the iconic Lacret Morlot Bridge, a heritage structure at risk of collapse, was brought to attention.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Plaza de la Vigía's Proposal
Who is El Matancero Errante?
El Matancero Errante is the social media alias of Dariel Vicedo, a photographer from Matanzas known for his satirical proposals.
What are the conditions of Vicedo's proposal?
Vicedo's proposal includes cleaning and repainting the Plaza de la Vigía regularly, in exchange for 30,000 pesos monthly, a nearby water source, cleaning supplies, solar lighting, and a night watchman.
Why is the Plaza de la Vigía important?
The Plaza de la Vigía is a historical landmark in Matanzas, Cuba, surrounded by significant buildings like the Teatro Sauto and the Palacio de Justicia.