In a peculiar event, the Communal Services company put on a display this Saturday in a section of the Alameda in Santiago de Cuba. Photos shared by journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on his Facebook account highlighted the bizarre spectacle. Items on display included straw brooms, a trash cart, a shovel, and even a coffin, drawing attention over the weekend.
"If today you chose to walk along the Malecón and Alameda in Santiago de Cuba, you'll encounter a Communal Services exhibition where you'll see the 'tools of the trade' for street sweepers and even the coffin or the cemetery soil where you'll be buried," Mayeta quipped. His remark underscored the irony that Santiago de Cuba seemingly has everything, as demonstrated in this exhibition in a bustling city area.
Numerous online comments criticized the display as an insult to locals, especially given the shortage of coffins in funeral homes for those in need. "There are no coffins for the needy, but there are for the exhibition," one person noted. Others argued that such a display should not be held in an area where children play. "Oh my! If my daughters see that, they won't sleep," wrote one concerned parent.
This "exhibition" comes just two weeks after a heist at the municipal headquarters of Santiago de Cuba's Communal Services, where six armed thieves made off with over five million Cuban pesos (CUP). The robbers attacked and threatened five guards at Corona Street #806, between Santa Rita and San Carlos, with one carrying a weapon.
The robbery had a direct impact on the employees, some of whom gathered nearby seeking information about their wages after a month of cleaning Santiago's streets. As of now, neither the authorities nor the state-controlled media have provided any updates on the incident.
Despite the appearance of being equipped with work tools, there are videos circulating on social media revealing the lack of resources and safety for Communal Services workers, who often collect trash without gloves or other protective gear. A video filmed in Havana showed a worker tossing trash into a truck with bare hands, while another person received it from the top of the vehicle. It was also evident that essential tools like brooms, shovels, or dustpans were missing.
Common Questions About Communal Services in Cuba
What was displayed at the Santiago de Cuba exhibition?
The exhibition featured straw brooms, a trash cart, a shovel, and a coffin.
Why was the exhibition criticized by locals?
Many locals saw the exhibition as an insult due to the ongoing shortage of coffins for the needy, while coffins were used in the display.
What recent event affected Santiago de Cuba's Communal Services?
The municipal headquarters of Santiago de Cuba's Communal Services was robbed by six armed individuals, who stole over five million Cuban pesos.