In the wake of Hurricane Oscar's devastation last October, families in Guantánamo are grappling with financial hardships as they strive to rebuild their lives. Despite this, the Cuban government has opted to sell mattresses that arrived as part of international aid.
According to a provincial government report in the state-run newspaper Venceremos, the sale comprises 14,000 mattresses, with priority given to the hardest-hit municipalities: San Antonio del Sur, Imías, Baracoa, and Maisí.
Out of these, 10,287 mattresses are being sold to disaster victims through the domestic retail network at prices ranging from 735 to 1,865 pesos, based on their features. Although a 50% discount is available for the most severely affected, the cost remains prohibitive for many families who have lost everything.
Conversely, 501 mattresses have been distributed through social assistance, with the state covering 100% of the cost. Additionally, the region received 4,440 mattresses from donations provided by institutions, associations, and other provinces. Of these, the Municipal Defense Council allocated 4,326 units to San Antonio del Sur, the area most severely impacted by flooding caused by Oscar.
Despite assurances from authorities that the evaluation system prioritizes the most vulnerable, the sale of mattresses has sparked criticism among affected residents. Recently, a woman from Baracoa, whose home was extensively damaged by the storm, reported that the government sold her a mattress for 735 pesos. In a video, she displayed the mattress—more like a thin pad—and noted that it was intended for a cancer patient. "It bends because it's useless," she stated angrily, adding that she was promised a proper bed mattress but ended up with something entirely different.
Since late November, when mattress distribution began in Guantánamo, authorities clarified that "donations are entirely free; the remainder is sold with a 50% subsidy, funded by the state budget."
Hurricane Oscar struck Guantánamo province on October 20, 2024, making landfall near Baracoa with winds of about 130 km/h, classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane. This meteorological event unleashed heavy rains, leading to significant river overflows, floods, and extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and crops in the municipalities of San Antonio del Sur, Imías, Baracoa, and Maisí.
FAQs About Hurricane Oscar's Impact on Guantánamo
What was the impact of Hurricane Oscar on Guantánamo?
Hurricane Oscar caused severe flooding, damaging homes, infrastructure, and crops, particularly in the municipalities of San Antonio del Sur, Imías, Baracoa, and Maisí.
How is the Cuban government assisting hurricane victims with mattresses?
The Cuban government is selling mattresses at subsidized prices to victims, with some distributed for free through social assistance.
Why is there criticism regarding the sale of mattresses?
Criticism arises because the cost remains high for many affected families, and there are reports of the mattresses being of poor quality.