A significant accident took place on Monday in the Ranchuelo municipality of Villa Clara, involving a horse-drawn cart and two buses. This incident resulted in 49 people being injured, including nine minors. Lieutenant Colonel Heriberto López, head of the Provincial Traffic Unit, reported that the collision occurred on the road to Esperanza, just two kilometers from the popular council of the same name. The accident involved a Yutong bus (license plate 121284), a Diana bus (license plate 027011), and an animal-drawn cart that was on the roadway.
The initial investigation suggests that the Yutong bus was en route to pick up Farmacuba workers in Esperanza when it collided with the Diana bus, which was operating on the San Juan–Santa Clara route. The presence of the horse-drawn cart on the road may have contributed to the accident's dynamics, though the exact causes are still under investigation by the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) experts.
Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported, although two adults remain in serious condition. Forty adults are receiving medical care at the "Arnaldo Milián Castro" Provincial Hospital, and nine minors are being treated at the "José Luis Miranda" Pediatric Hospital.
Provincial authorities, including Susely Morfa González, the first secretary of the Communist Party in Villa Clara, and Milaxy Yanet Sánchez Armas, the governor of the area, are on-site. Emergency Medical Services, firefighters, and traffic officers are also actively involved in managing the situation. Efforts are ongoing to clarify the incident and assess accountability.
Horse-Drawn Carts: A Persistent Hazard on Cuban Roads
In the early hours of Monday, September 22, 2025, Cuba witnessed another tragic road accident involving a horse-drawn cart and two buses in Ranchuelo, Villa Clara. The accident on the road to Esperanza resulted in injuries to 49 individuals, including nine children. Four people, one of whom is a teenager, are reported to be in grave or critical condition.
While investigations are still underway, authorities have confirmed that the cart was on the road at the time of the collision. This has reignited national concerns over the dangers posed by these animal-drawn vehicles, especially when they operate without proper lighting or during nighttime.
Just five months earlier, on April 18, 2025, a young motorcyclist sustained severe injuries after colliding with a cart in the La Pedrona community in Mayarí, Holguín. The impact was so severe that the horse pulling the cart died instantly. The motorcyclist, identified as Ernesto, required hospitalization due to the seriousness of his injuries. This incident sparked discussions on social media about the lack of clear regulations for such modes of transport.
A year prior, on February 23, 2024, in the Guantanamo town of Macambo, a 16-year-old lost his life after being hit while riding in a cart. Witnesses claimed that the car involved was speeding and the driver was under the influence of alcohol. However, the tragedy also sparked a community debate regarding the cart driver's responsibility and the safety of the vehicle, which was traveling without lights on a dark road.
The list of accidents continues. On October 24, 2023, in Cienfuegos, three family members were injured when their cart was struck by an ETEP bus on a bridge over the Damují River. The woman in the animal-drawn vehicle required surgery, and the horse was severely injured.
These incidents from various parts of the country highlight a common pattern: the dangerous coexistence of motorized vehicles and animal transport on inadequately marked roads that lack the conditions for both systems. As authorities investigate, rural communities continue to bear the brunt of outdated infrastructure and insufficient regulation.
Understanding the Risks of Horse-Drawn Carts on Cuban Roads
What factors contributed to the recent bus collision in Villa Clara?
The presence of a horse-drawn cart on the road is believed to have influenced the dynamics of the accident, though the exact causes are still under investigation.
Why are horse-drawn carts considered hazardous on Cuban roads?
Horse-drawn carts are often seen as dangerous due to their lack of proper lighting and visibility, especially at night, which increases the risk of accidents with motorized vehicles.
How have previous accidents involving horse-drawn carts influenced public opinion in Cuba?
Past accidents have sparked public debate and concern about road safety and the need for clearer regulations regarding animal-drawn vehicles in Cuba.