Great indignation erupted among the residents of Ramón Domínguez de la Peña, known as the Macizo Cañero in Venezuela municipality, Ciego de Ávila, when local authorities attempted to remove the water pump that supplies the area. A video published this Tuesday on Facebook by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights shows residents protesting against the decision to remove the pump that feeds the community's cistern.
"The entire town is against taking the pump because we are the ones suffering," says the person recording the video. "How can they take the pump?" he questioned, incredulous at the regime's capacity to worsen the community's water scarcity.
The video’s author also alleged that the government planned to take the pump to replace a broken one in a neighborhood of "chiefs," as he stated in his recording. The clip shows several people protesting against the regime's decision to remove the equipment without consulting the community, once again demonstrating the government's tendency to act without considering those affected.
Recurring Water Access Issues in Cuba
This is not the first time that water access issues have sparked protests in Cuba. This past Tuesday, residents of San Miguel del Padrón in Havana, desperate and outraged by a two-week water outage, took to the streets to protest and block neighborhood roads. Images circulating on social media show dozens of residents from the La Rosita and Siboney districts gathering on the streets at night in spontaneous demonstrations after more than 15 days without basic water service.
In June, after over two months without potable water, residents of Ecoa 13 in Santa Clara, on the road to Camajuaní, blocked the avenue in protest of the authorities' negligence and demanded the restoration of service. Protesters confirmed that they had been without water for over two months, prompting them to take to the streets and block traffic while shouting, "We want water."
The Cuban regime recently acknowledged that more than 600,000 Cubans currently lack access to potable water, attributing the problem to the ongoing energy crisis affecting the country. José Antonio Hernández Álvarez, President of the Water and Sanitation Business Group, admitted that Cuba's water supply is in a critical state but claims that the main issue is the continuous blackouts causing failures in the pumping system.
Understanding Cuba's Water Crisis
In light of the ongoing water crisis in Cuba, here are some key questions and answers that provide deeper insight into the issue.
Why was the water pump removed in Ciego de Ávila?
Authorities attempted to remove the pump to replace a broken one in a different neighborhood, causing significant distress among the local community who rely on it for their water supply.
What triggered the protests in San Miguel del Padrón?
Residents were outraged by a water outage that lasted over two weeks, leading them to block roads in protest.
How many Cubans currently lack access to potable water?
The Cuban government has acknowledged that over 600,000 Cubans are without access to potable water.
What is the main cause of Cuba's water supply issues?
The main issue is the continuous blackouts, which cause failures in the water pumping system, according to José Antonio Hernández Álvarez.