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President Miguel Díaz-Canel toured the recently renovated Central House of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) on Wednesday, formerly the Miramar Yacht Club, and showcased a facility that is completely different from the ones rehabilitated for public use.
Accompanied by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz and Minister of the FAR, Álvaro López Miera, the leader toured the facility in the Playa municipality, which underwent an investment process since 2020 and has already welcomed nearly 100,000 visitors in 2025 so far.
The Government celebrated the rehabilitation of beach areas, sports courts, cultural spaces, and restaurants, highlighting "the contribution of the FAR companies" and the use of national resources, according to a publication from "Presidencia de Cuba" on X.
Díaz-Canel praised the "beauty and order" of the club, asserting that it serves as an example of "intelligence and systematic approach" in the preservation of facilities.
However, the restoration of this recreational center stands in stark contrast to the deep housing crisis facing the country. Thousands of families remain homeless due to weather events and the deterioration of the real estate stock, while entire neighborhoods are falling apart.
The renovation of the Central House of the FAR had already generated controversy in 2023, when the construction of new swimming pools, a nightclub, and structural expansions was announced. “Is this the right time for this?” questioned Professor Eunice Lores Roque, who denounced the waste of resources benefiting the military elite, while the majority of the population lives in poverty.
For example, recreational centers like the famous Comodoro nightclub, Lenin Park, and the former Casino Español Beach in Havana, which was later transformed into the "José Ramón Rodríguez Workers' Social Circle" in Playa municipality, are in ruins.
The former Miramar Yacht Club was inaugurated in 1926 as a nautical and recreational space for Havana's high society. After the triumph of the Revolution, it came under the control of the Armed Forces, which turned it into a recreational area for its officers and their families.
Today, despite the severe economic and social crisis in Cuba, the club appears restored and exclusive, a symbol of the power of the FAR and the regime's priorities: luxury and leisure for the military elite, ruins and scarcity for the people.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Restoration of the Central House of the FAR in Cuba
What is the Central House of the FAR and why has it been restored?
The Central House of the FAR is the former Miramar Yacht Club, a recreational space intended for officers and families of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba. This club has been recently restored, showcasing a remarkable contrast with other public facilities that are in poor condition. The restoration has faced criticism due to the housing crisis the country is experiencing, where thousands of families live in precarious conditions.
Why has the restoration of the Central House of the FAR generated controversy?
The restoration of the Central House of the FAR has generated controversy because, while the government invests in an exclusive club for the military elite, many Cubans are facing a serious housing and economic crisis. Entire neighborhoods are in ruins and living conditions are precarious for the majority of the population, highlighting the disparity in the regime's priorities.
What is the current situation of public infrastructure intended for popular use in Cuba?
Public infrastructure in Cuba dedicated to public use is in a state of disrepair. Examples such as the Comodoro nightclub, Lenin Park, and the old Casino Español bathing area in Havana illustrate the neglect and lack of maintenance in facilities that once served the community. This further emphasizes the government's priorities, which seem to focus on luxury projects for the military elite rather than improving the living conditions of the general population.
What criticisms has the Cuban government received for its investment decisions?
The Cuban government has been criticized for allocating resources to the restoration of exclusive spaces such as the Central House of the FAR, while the rest of the country faces an economic and social crisis. The criticism focuses on the apparent disconnect between the regime's priorities and the urgent needs of the population, which is suffering from a housing shortage, an energy crisis, and a lack of basic infrastructure.
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