The aftermath of Hurricane Oscar, which made landfall on Sunday, October 20, has severely damaged transportation routes in the municipality of Imías, located in Guantánamo province. This destruction has complicated both the arrival of people and the delivery of resources to the area. Despite these challenges, a group of Cubans found an unusual and daring way to reach Imías after their journey was abruptly halted.
A video shared on Facebook by Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, the Minister of Transportation, showcases how these individuals, originally from the city of Guantánamo, navigated a collapsed bridge with the assistance of a bulldozer. The heavy machinery transported eight people in its bucket, enabling them to traverse the broken segment and reconnect with the road leading to Imías. Rodríguez Dávila described this maneuver as "a lifesaving option."
Although the video does not fully capture the extent of the damage, the gap in the bridge was substantial enough to necessitate such an operation. The evacuees had traveled to Guantánamo, some by train and others on buses heading to Baracoa from Havana and Camagüey. However, their journey was interrupted by the hurricane, forcing them to temporarily stay at the University of Guantánamo while awaiting a safe passage to their homes in Imías.
Restoration of Transportation Brings Relief
On Saturday afternoon, the restoration of the primary route between Guantánamo and Imías significantly improved regional mobility, facilitating quicker delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected by the storm. During the days when the main connection was down, alternative routes via Moa-Baracoa required a grueling journey of over seven hours, consuming considerable amounts of fuel.
With the direct road now open, travel time has dramatically decreased to just two hours from the provincial capital. This development greatly enhances efforts to provide support and distribute essential supplies to local residents, according to authorities.