The aftermath of Hurricane Oscar in Guantánamo is not only evident in the physical destruction of homes and the isolation of families, but also in the profound sense of neglect felt by survivors. They insist that the Cuban government abandoned them during their most critical moments.
Community Left to Fend for Themselves
In San Antonio del Sur, one of the hardest-hit areas, a local resident confronted Miguel Díaz-Canel face-to-face when he visited three days after the disaster. "We were left all alone with 29 children," the man asserted, recounting how authorities had promised a rescue team that never appeared. Left to their own devices, the community banded together to evacuate those they could, braving a dangerously swollen river. The fear was tangible: “We nearly drowned,” he admitted, as Díaz-Canel offered justifications that sounded like empty promises.
Desperation Across the Region
This feeling of neglect isn't unique to San Antonio. In places like Imías, entire families were trapped in their homes, watching helplessly as floodwaters rose to the rooftops. “The water keeps rising, and help isn't coming,” they lamented in videos that circulated on social media, showing submerged houses and residents clinging to rooftops, hoping for rescue. As days passed, it became clear that the only real support came from neighbors helping neighbors, while authorities were conspicuously absent.
Official Numbers Questioned
Perhaps most distressing for many was the discrepancy between official figures and the reality on the ground. The government reported seven deaths in Guantánamo, but locals claim the truth is far grimmer. “There are between 17 and 20 dead here; they won't say it, but in small towns, everyone knows everyone,” stated a resident of San Antonio del Sur. Authorities attempted to downplay the tragedy, yet the number of missing is in the dozens, and not all deaths are being acknowledged.
Lack of Information Exacerbates Chaos
Worsening the already dire situation was the lack of information. A blackout that plunged Cuba into darkness days before the hurricane left many unaware of the impending disaster’s magnitude. Families trapped in their homes received no alerts and had no time to evacuate, resulting in lost lives and a lingering pain that echoes through the submerged streets.
Community Searches for Loved Ones
The people of Guantánamo, accustomed to crises, have taken to social media to search for their loved ones. Parents, siblings, and friends are desperate for updates, hoping that the scarce connectivity can offer some relief.
Although rescue brigades led by the FAR and MININT have finally started arriving, for many, it's too little, too late. Survivors are not only battling the destruction of their homes but also the sense of being forgotten by a government seemingly more focused on excusing its failures than addressing its people's urgent needs.
Guantánamo remains in waiting. Government promises ring hollow, and the feeling of abandonment runs as deep as the waters still covering much of the region.