A scandal involving the mishandling of disaster relief donations has sparked outrage in Santiago de Cuba. Authorities recently retrieved dozens of mattresses intended for families affected by Hurricane Melissa, which had been diverted and hidden for illegal sale.
The Facebook page "Héroes del Moncada," which aligns with official narratives, reported that police conducted a raid on Friday in the Julio Sanguily area. They discovered 40 mattresses that were supposed to be distributed to those who lost their possessions due to the storm.
According to the report, these items had not reached their intended recipients because "unscrupulous individuals" aimed to sell them at exorbitant prices on the black market.
Following the police operation, the mattresses were handed over to the proper authorities to ensure they would finally be distributed to the intended beneficiaries.
Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada also highlighted the incident on Facebook, reporting that the number of seized mattresses was actually 44.
Mayeta noted that Santiago de Cuba residents had been raising concerns for days about irregularities in mattress distribution for disaster victims, including allegations of their illegal resale, until the issue erupted publicly in the Julio Sanguily neighborhood.
"Residents reported that these items were part of resources allocated to affected households but were diverted and hidden for clandestine sale at inflated prices, exploiting others' suffering," the report specified.
Rather than calming the situation, the police discovery intensified public anger, prompting criticism about the security of donations, the lack of effective oversight, and the opacity in humanitarian aid distribution processes.
Neighbors fear that, once again, such incidents might fade away without clear consequences and demand a thorough investigation to determine accountability.
"Diverting aid is not a 'business.' It's a betrayal of the solidarity that supports people in their toughest times," Mayeta commented.
Meanwhile, this recovery of mattresses highlights a recurring issue: the gap between announced aid and the relief that actually reaches those in dire need.
Key Issues in Humanitarian Aid Management in Cuba
What prompted the investigation in Santiago de Cuba?
The investigation was prompted by public complaints about irregularities and alleged illegal resale of donated mattresses intended for hurricane victims.
How many mattresses were recovered during the police operation?
The police operation recovered 40 to 44 mattresses, according to different reports, which were initially meant for distribution to affected families.
What are the public's concerns regarding the distribution of aid?
The public is concerned about the security of donations, ineffective monitoring, and the lack of transparency in the distribution of humanitarian aid.