The passage of Hurricane Oscar on Sunday and Monday left a devastating mark on the Villa Imías camping site in the province of Guantánamo.
The images shared by the official journalist Miguel Reyes on Facebook show the drastic transformation that this facility underwent, surrounded by masonry cabins and its natural environment with abundant vegetation.
Before the hurricane: The cabins appear to be in good condition, with structures painted in pastel colors and arranged in a neat row on solid ground.
After the hurricane: The same cabins are seen severely damaged, partially submerged in water, and some are tilted or collapsed. The surrounding vegetation appears affected, and it is evident that the force of the hurricane caused erosion and displacement of the structures toward the water.
"Terribly regrettable! And the hardest part must have been for those who received an unexpected event without any communication. How many lives and damages could have been avoided if those who had communication had taken measures. Not even Flora caused as much devastation, not because of the event itself, but because of the actions taken," was a comment on the post.
"Incredible, those of us who have been there, so many summer stays, the theater crusade camps for more than 30 years on February 14. It will never be repeated; everything has been destroyed," lamented another person.
The passage of Hurricane Oscar through Guantánamo resulted in a tragic toll and sparked criticism regarding the lack of adequate preparation and information.
The cyclone, which struck as a Category 1 on October 20, 2024, resulted in the deaths of six people in the municipality of San Antonio del Sur and one in Imías, according to government sources, including a five-year-old child and several elderly adults.
In addition, the severe flooding and structural damage left many families cut off and without access to basic services.
The response of the Cuban government has been criticized for the lack of timely information, exacerbated by the blackouts that have been affecting the country since before the hurricane.
During his visit to Guantánamo, the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel faced criticism from residents, who expressed that they felt abandoned during the emergency.
Recovery in the affected areas will be challenging, as the hurricane struck amid an energy and economic crisis. Armed forces and emergency brigades have been deployed to support rescue and rebuilding efforts, but the situation remains critical in several parts of one of the poorest provinces on the island.
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