Andy Vázquez criticizes Díaz-Canel: "He hasn't visited Holguín since the explosion, but he is in Venezuela."

"It doesn't matter to him about Cuba," said the comedian.

Andy Vázquez and Díaz-Canel in VenezuelaPhoto © Andy Vázquez / Facebook

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The comedian Andy Vázquez questioned the attitude of Miguel Díaz-Canel, who traveled to Caracas on Friday morning to attend Nicolás Maduro's swearing-in ceremony, without having yet gone to Holguín to inquire about the 13 missing persons from the fire that occurred on Tuesday in a military unit.

"Canel has not stepped foot in Holguín since the explosion, but today he is in Venezuela to support his fellow dictator," he stated on his Facebook wall, along with photos of the leader upon his arrival in Caracas.

"It doesn't matter to him/her about Cuba," he/she emphasized.

Facebook Capture / Facundo Living off the Tale

Díaz-Canel was one of the few presidents who decided to support Maduro in his new power grab. He traveled with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez and other high-ranking officials, but interestingly without Lis Cuesta.

Meanwhile, in Holguín, the families of the 13 missing individuals are complaining that the authorities are doing nothing to save their loved ones.

"They haven't searched at any moment. They told the family members that they couldn't do it because it could cause more explosions and they couldn't risk more lives, and they had to wait 72 hours," denounced Jesús Antonio, the uncle of recruit Liander José García Oliva, 19 years old.

"They went to the parents' house and communicated that there was no chance of life, that if anyone were alive, they would have already tried to escape. It hurts me because they declared them dead without searching for them," he added.

In a display of disdain and lack of empathy, Díaz-Canel has shown no interest in the situation of the residents in the town of Melones, who experienced moments of panic and distress when they began to hear the explosions from the ammunition warehouse fire. At first, the majority's reaction was to stay in their homes, but soon they decided that the best option was to flee.

Videos shared on social media show the fear and unease of the neighbors as they heard the explosions and no one knew the cause. The people ran out of their houses and started to flee while calling out to one another.

"Oh my God! Let's all go, let's get out of here!" shouted a frightened woman.

Hours after the incident, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) confirmed that there are 13 missing: four officers and nine soldiers, whom many already consider dead.

The tragic incident was caused by a fire while aging munitions were being sorted.

Frequently Asked Questions about Andy Vázquez's Criticism of Miguel Díaz-Canel and the Situation in Cuba and Venezuela

Why did Andy Vázquez criticize Miguel Díaz-Canel?

Andy Vázquez criticized Miguel Díaz-Canel for not visiting Holguín after the explosion at a military unit that left 13 missing, and instead traveling to Venezuela to support Nicolás Maduro at his swearing-in ceremony. Vázquez expressed his discontent on social media, pointing out that Díaz-Canel seems more concerned about international matters than the tragedy in Cuba.

What happened in Holguín that sparked criticism towards Díaz-Canel?

In Holguín, a fire broke out in an Army ammunition storage facility, leaving 13 people missing, which led to criticism of Díaz-Canel for not showing immediate concern for the tragedy and prioritizing his trip to Venezuela. The incident has been one of the most scrutinized due to a lack of clear information and the pain of the affected families.

Why did Díaz-Canel visit Venezuela instead of addressing the crisis in Holguín?

Díaz-Canel traveled to Venezuela to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Nicolás Maduro, whom he firmly supports despite allegations of electoral fraud. This act of international support has been criticized by many Cubans who believe that the leader should have prioritized the crisis in Holguín.

What has been the Cuban government's response to the explosion in Holguín?

The Cuban government, through Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, issued condolence messages on social media, but these responses have been delayed and deemed insufficient by the public. The lack of immediate action and limited official information have generated distrust and criticism among the population, who believe that the government is not adequately addressing the situation.

How has the Cuban population reacted to Díaz-Canel's actions?

The Cuban population has reacted with criticism and discontent towards Díaz-Canel for his handling of internal crises and his focus on international issues such as his support for Nicolás Maduro. The general sentiment is one of outrage due to the perception of neglect and the lack of attention to urgent problems within Cuba, such as the situation in Holguín and the economic crisis the country is facing.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.