Social media erupted with outrage from hundreds of Cubans after Dr. Francisco Durán García, the national director of Epidemiology at Cuba's Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), claimed that "wherever a case is found, fumigation occurs" and praised the efforts of the country's anti-vector brigades.
Responses flooded in quickly. "Where are they spraying? You all have some nerve," one user commented. Another user chimed in, "That is not true, what spraying is he talking about?"
Within hours, criticisms proliferated. "Where are they spraying? They don't even conduct health surveys," questioned another individual, while a Cuban woman lamented, "Where there is a case, they spray? I respect the elderly, but this is outrageous! What a way to lie to the world, yes, to the world, because the people here don't see that due to constant power outages."
Reports from Across Cuba
From various municipalities, testimonies echoed the absence of fumigation, health surveys, and sanitary control. "Where are they spraying? In Micro X, Alamar, several cases occur and no one shows up, not even to check. My grandchildren in Casablanca, their grandmother, and other family members are there and they don't spray. What is this man talking about? As always, they don't face reality," another user remarked.
"Excuse me, Dr., but where exactly are they spraying? My neighborhood is under quarantine and no one has come for anything or anyone. No health surveys, nothing. Stop the lies, and with all due respect, Dr., don't let yourself be manipulated," wrote a netizen.
Testimonies from central Cuba also surfaced: "Where are they spraying? Here in Santa Clara, I haven't seen a sprayer in over three years, neither in homes nor on the streets. You have to pay for it, and still, all provinces, including mine, are riddled with these diseases."
Another Cuban recounted, "Dr. Durán, my block in Versalles, Santiago de Cuba, is full of chikungunya cases, with patients severely affected. They don't spray, nor have they collected garbage or debris from trees, which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and gnats, and it's been nine days."
Widespread Frustration and Disbelief
"With all due respect to Dr. Durán, I would like to know who told him that whenever there's a case of that dire disease, they come and spray. Please, don't let them lie to you anymore, that's false, and it's wreaking havoc throughout the country. This and many other reasons are why people are desperate. This is unprecedented," expressed another user, reflecting the general sentiment of frustration and disbelief.
The fury continued with even harsher messages: "Where is that happening, because here we've all been suffering, and they've never come to spray. Enough with the lies." "Such shamelessness... you should be ashamed to come out and tell so many lies," said a Cuban woman. "But you need to respect yourself and stop saying so many untruths," added another person.
Beyond Spraying: Medication Shortages
Criticisms over spraying were accompanied by complaints about medication shortages. "Sir, speak clearly, people are desperate because there are no medicines," commented one user. "Analgesics? Where from? Two or three people working, this isn't about the virus, it's been like this for years. It's one thing after another," pointed out another. A Cuban woman was more direct: "In which Cuban pharmacy are analgesics sold? They're all on the black market and quite expensive. How long will they keep lying in the official media, please get grounded and face reality." Someone concluded, "Everything is a lie. My parents are banned from watching this nonsense, it's all lies."
Public reactions starkly contrast with Dr. Durán's own words, who recently claimed that spraying efforts had intensified in Havana, Matanzas, and Cienfuegos with the support of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), aiming to "reduce mosquito infestation to halt transmission." His statements were part of a broader intervention warning that chikungunya, dengue, and Oropouche continue to threaten Cuba, while assuring that control actions had been bolstered in the most affected areas.
Nonetheless, MINSAP's own reports reveal a far more critical scenario. The ministry's latest update acknowledged over 20,000 chikungunya cases and admitted that 62% of Aedes aegypti mosquito breeding sites are concentrated in Havana, Santiago, Camagüey, and Villa Clara, highlighting a deficient control of the infestation that contradicts the official narrative on the effectiveness of spraying efforts.
The gap between state rhetoric and popular complaints has deepened the erosion of trust in Dr. Durán, whose image was respected during the COVID-19 pandemic but now faces an increasing wave of public questioning. Months ago, citizens had already warned him: "Dr. Durán, with respect, stop lying to the people," after he denied deaths from arboviruses and downplayed hospital collapse, according to testimonies collected at the time.
While authorities insist that medical care and spraying continue, citizens describe a different reality: neighborhoods without vector control, overcrowded hospitals, and entire families sick without access to medications.
Public Reaction to Health Measures in Cuba
What was Dr. Francisco Durán García's claim about fumigation?
Dr. Francisco Durán García claimed that fumigation occurs wherever a case of dengue or chikungunya is found, praising the efforts of Cuba's anti-vector brigades.
How did Cubans react to Dr. Durán's statements?
Cubans reacted with outrage on social media, expressing disbelief and criticizing the lack of actual fumigation and health measures in their communities.
What additional issues were highlighted by the public?
Besides the lack of fumigation, the public also criticized the severe shortages of medications, with many expressing frustration over the unavailability of basic drugs.
What contradictions exist between Dr. Durán's statements and MINSAP reports?
While Dr. Durán claimed intensified fumigation efforts, MINSAP reports indicate a significant number of mosquito breeding sites and an inadequately controlled infestation, contradicting his statements.