A police vehicle belonging to the Revolutionary National Police (RNP) found itself with its front wheels submerged in a water-filled ditch in Surgidero de Batabanó, a coastal town in Mayabeque province. This incident came to light through photos shared on Facebook by user Alex Rios Cruz.
The images capture the police car—marked with the number 192 and the word "PATRULLA" on its hood—tilted forward, with its front end plunged into the hole. Approximately 20-25 onlookers gathered around the scene. The RNP has not released any official statement, nor is there any information about injuries.
The post quickly triggered a wave of mockery and sarcastic remarks on social media, with Cubans seizing the opportunity to poke fun at the police force.
"Went to give the horse a drink," one user jested. "Hope they all sink," another commented, adding laughing emojis to their message.
"Serves them right," chimed in another Cuban.
Some users questioned the competence of the officers. "Probably shifted to sixth gear thinking it would move forward," joked someone from Havana.
Another went further, speculating whether the patrol car was empty or if the officers were "rushing home to wash up and drop off fish before their shift change."
The overall tone of these comments underscores a deep-seated distrust and disdain toward the RNP, with Cubans increasingly using social media to critique the institution—often with humor and sarcasm—when the officers end up in embarrassing situations.
This isn't the first time an RNP patrol car has been involved in such an incident. Back in August 2025, another patrol car was stuck in a puddle in Havana, similarly sparking widespread ridicule online.
The Batabanó incident is not isolated: Surgidero de Batabanó is plagued by chronically deteriorating infrastructure, affected by flooding, coastal erosion, and the impact of Hurricane Ian in 2022, which caused numerous collapses and roof damages in the area.
Poor road conditions remain a systemic issue throughout Cuba. According to official Cuban government data, 75% of the nation's roads are in fair or poor condition, with 7,538 traffic accidents recorded in 2025, resulting in 750 deaths and 6,718 injuries.
The Central Highway, the country's main artery, has only 29% of its length in good condition as of March 2026, illustrating the collapse from decades of infrastructure neglect under the regime.
Understanding Cuba's Road Infrastructure Problems
What caused the police car to get stuck in Batabanó?
The police car ended up stuck because its front wheels were submerged in a water-filled ditch, a common hazard in areas with poor infrastructure like Surgidero de Batabanó.
Why are roads in Cuba in such poor condition?
Cuba's roads suffer from neglect and lack of maintenance, a consequence of decades of inadequate infrastructure investment under the regime, leading to widespread deterioration.
How do Cubans react to incidents involving the police?
Such incidents often spark ridicule and sarcastic comments on social media, reflecting the public's deep-seated distrust and disdain for the Revolutionary National Police.