In Santiago de Cuba's José Martí District, two men have been apprehended after exploiting the chaos caused by Hurricane Melissa to engage in looting activities, as reported by the pro-government Facebook page, Héroes del Moncada.
The incidents transpired amidst a national emergency, which left tens of thousands of homes damaged and forced mass evacuations in eastern Cuba.
An outraged local resident from the affected neighborhood voiced her lack of surprise at the actions of the arrested individuals:
"Marcos and Roilandis were always ready to jump at the chance when it came to stealing," recounted Zoila, a resident of the José Martí District.
According to the account shared, these men ventured out at dawn following the hurricane, scavenging the surrounding areas for items like antennas, roofing tiles, and other possessions that the storm had swept onto the streets.
Their downfall occurred when they attempted to steal over 95 meters of fallen electrical cables left on the ground after a utility pole had toppled.
A neighbor, understanding the critical impact of such theft on the already strained power restoration efforts, alerted the authorities.
The police swiftly intervened, arresting the two men, who are now facing charges for exploiting the crisis to commit crimes.
Public Outcry and Calls for Harsher Penalties
This incident sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many users expressing outrage and demanding severe punishment.
Comments such as "lock them up and throw away the key," "jail them," "get tough on these shameless thieves," and "they should never be released" reflected the public's anger at these opportunistic acts.
Hurricane Melissa: A Mismanaged Catastrophe
The backdrop to these events is the severe humanitarian crisis triggered by Hurricane Melissa, which struck eastern Cuba in late October.
Official figures indicate over 45,000 homes suffered damage, predominantly to their roofs, and 14,000 individuals remain in state-run shelters.
The Cuban government has acknowledged that more than 1,500 schools were affected and approximately 78,700 hectares of crops, mainly bananas, were destroyed.
The municipality of Río Cauto in the Granma province reports the greatest strain, while areas like Guamo have undergone partial evacuations.
Despite official claims of progress in restoring electricity and water supplies, citizens have decried the lack of resources, sluggish aid distribution, and prolonged power outages.
Adding to their frustration is the sale of construction materials by the state, which should be provided free of charge to those affected by the disaster.
FAQs on the Aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Cuba
What led to the arrest of the two men in Santiago de Cuba?
The two men were arrested after attempting to steal electrical cables that had fallen during Hurricane Melissa, exploiting the disaster to engage in looting.
How has the public reacted to the looting incident?
The public has reacted with outrage, demanding harsh penalties for the perpetrators and expressing frustration over opportunistic crimes during the crisis.
What is the current state of recovery after Hurricane Melissa?
Recovery efforts are ongoing, but there are widespread complaints about delays in aid, lack of resources, and continued power outages.