Guantanamo filmmaker Daniel Ross Diéguez, who has been capturing the harsh realities faced by Cubans in the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar, reported the discovery of a "second body" in San Antonio del Sur this Tuesday. The young visual artist shared that the body was found on Tuesday morning near the "San Antonio baseball field." He did not specify the gender of the deceased, noting only that it was "in the mud."
"Good morning. We've ventured deep into areas untouched by others. I'll share more later. My gratitude to all who have donated; you'll see today's achievements. We arrived with drizzle," Ross Diéguez remarked, accompanying his post with several photos showing him and others carrying boxes to remote areas. He mentioned that this discovery comes just two days after another body was found.
Additionally, Ross Diéguez noted that two more individuals remain missing in Macambo. On the previous Sunday, he had observed "a helicopter searching for people along the coast." "Up until a few days ago, only one body had been found, according to local witnesses at the beach," he stated at the time.
Currently, Cuban authorities have not provided updates on additional casualties beyond the initial report of seven deaths—six in San Antonio del Sur and one more in Imías. Despite widespread rumors about an unspecified number of missing individuals, official sources have not acknowledged ongoing search efforts for those unaccounted for. Meanwhile, public pressure is mounting for authorities to address reports of entire families whose whereabouts remain unknown since the hurricane's passage through Guantánamo.
"Yacabo Arriba lost homes near the water. Residents continue searching there with an amphibious tank," Daniel Ross reported in another recent update.
Community Resilience Amid Government Inaction
In the wake of Hurricane Oscar's devastating impact on eastern Cuba, the solidarity among Cubans has been crucial in addressing the aftermath of the floods and destruction. Communities in San Antonio del Sur and Imías, the hardest-hit areas, have banded together to rescue those trapped, provide shelter to the displaced, and coordinate relief efforts from abroad.
The Cuban government's response to the flooding has faced criticism for its sluggishness. Residents in San Antonio del Sur and Imías reported feeling abandoned by authorities, who delayed dispatching rescue teams and emergency supplies. Last Wednesday, leader Miguel Díaz-Canel visited San Antonio del Sur, where he was met with direct complaints and demands from locals.