Matanzas journalist Yirmara Torres Hernández brought to light on Friday that residents in the neighborhoods of Los Mangos and Simpson, specifically those on Salamanca and San Gabriel streets, have been left without water for eight months due to a valve shutoff by the Water Authority workers.
In a video shared on Facebook, Torres detailed how the affected residents have reached out to both the Municipal and Provincial Water Authority offices, approached Population Care officials, and even attempted to open the valve on their own.
Torres recounted that although the Water Authority workers themselves closed the valve, they have yet to return to resolve the issue despite being aware of it for months.
Community Left in the Dark
The former president of the Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC) in Matanzas pointed out that vegetation has started to overgrow around the valve, indicating how long the problem has persisted.
The journalist questioned the rationale behind the valve closure, noting that residents are clueless about the decision's reasoning. She emphasized the proximity of the Water Authority offices to the affected area, yet the issue remains unresolved.
State Water Trucks Failing to Deliver
Torres also mentioned the presence of several state water trucks operating nearby, none of which have provided water to the impacted residents over these eight months. Only once did a delegate manage to secure a water delivery to the block, benefiting those in the affected area.
This situation underscores the frustration felt by the community, as highlighted by Torres who remarked, "Eight months without water. Does anyone care?" in her video.
Recurring Water Issues in Matanzas
This isn't the first time Torres has spoken out about water scarcity in her province. In May 2026, she reported her block had been without water for nearly two months, while leaks on Compostela street wasted water.
In July, residents of Colón municipality complained about three months without potable water and power outages exceeding 72 hours without institutional response. Mid-August saw an electrical failure that cut off water to Cárdenas, the province's second-largest city.
Data from April indicated that over 300,000 residents in Matanzas faced unstable water supply, with more than 29,000 of the 518,000 receiving piped water suffering from constant shortages due to pipeline breaks.
In April, Vice Prime Minister Inés María Chapman met with Water Authority leaders in Matanzas but failed to provide concrete solutions or timelines.
The sole structural response from authorities was a vague plan to build a new well over 20 meters deep with a submersible pump delivering 100 liters per second, aimed at benefiting more than 60,000 residents in the Versalles community and the Athens of Cuba's industrial area, with no defined execution date.
Understanding the Water Crisis in Matanzas
Why have the residents in Matanzas been without water for eight months?
Residents have been without water due to a valve closure by Water Authority workers, which has not been resolved despite their awareness of the issue.
What efforts have been made to address the water issue?
Residents have reached out to municipal and provincial authorities, but no effective resolution has been provided. A single water delivery was made once through a delegate's intervention.
Are there any plans to improve the water situation in Matanzas?
Authorities have proposed building a new well with a submersible pump to benefit a large number of residents, but no timeline for this project has been provided.