Hello, dear Hivers, how are you?
Thank you for being with us during these days. Since the end of October and the beginning of November, right in the middle of hurricane season in Cuba, it has been a very difficult time for all Cubans. We learned of the effects of Hurricane Óscar in Guantánamo with great difficulty, as well as the damage in eastern Cuba. Now, just over 48 hours after the impact of Hurricane Rafael, it feels like we’re destined to live in constant agony: a country slowly deteriorating, an economy that isn’t moving forward, productions that are no longer viable and won’t return, and on top of that, energy blackouts in eastern Cuba, averaging around 20 hours a day.
It is heartbreaking to see images of both weather events: plantations, electrical lines, and houses destroyed, adding more destruction to a housing stock that is already in very poor condition under normal circumstances. The recovery will take a long time to come and to restore homes to many. It’s a country in crisis, where there’s nothing solid to hold on to—only the hope that this will pass and become a sad memory.
In the face of the strong winds, all that was left was the need to protect ourselves and try to minimize the impact of possible damage. In this, the Cuban Civil Defense is a leader. But the most significant aspect of these two hurricanes is that they hit the country with very little time between them, in a context of an energy crisis worsened by the disconnection of the national electric grid, affecting the main communication channels, causing low mobile coverage and the loss of radio or television signals, as there was no power to watch broadcasts and stay alert.
It was up to the Municipal Defense Councils to drive these measures and ensure the population's protection, especially near rivers and downstream from reservoirs. The monitoring of rainfall and alerts to prevent people from crossing streams and rivers or fishing in them while they’re swollen is essential, as this is one of the main causes of death during these climate events. You already know the saying: “In troubled waters, fishermen gain.”
I hope all Cubans impacted by this can recover as soon as possible. I wish it with all my heart. We need a moment of peace, but the upcoming 2025 will be another difficult year. I can already hear the specialists on the topic—many of those crops ensured food for the coming months.
The true strength of Cuba lies in its people, those who, despite adversity, never stop reaching out to help their neighbor. Thank you for your support. May God bless this land and may we never lack solidarity. Health to you and your family; may you stay safe and sound in times of crisis. Amen.