More than 15 days after Hurricane Oscar passed through municipalities in the province of Guantánamo, causing significant damage to the road infrastructure, the Cuban government announced the resumption of passenger transportation to Baracoa and Maisí.
The news was confirmed by Transportation Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, who stated that the restoration will take place starting Friday, November 15.
The official specified that this decision was made between the Provincial Defense Council of Guantánamo and the specialists and technicians involved in the actions for the restoration of the roadways.
Before announcing the decision, Rodríguez Dávila mentioned that a group of five drivers and other specialists from the National Bus Company was formed to survey the roads to Baracoa and Maisí in order to identify critical points along the highway.
"All the drivers who will be assigned to La Farola will be from the province and have experience on that road. We will go through the route with them point by point, including signs, characteristics of the affected areas, the speed they should maintain, among other issues," stated the minister.
It was also assured that work is being done on "the removal of debris from the landslides on the La Farola viaduct, and on the compaction of the areas where work has been done on the Guantánamo-Imías road, at the Macambo and Yacabo Abajo points."
Regarding the priorities of individuals who had tickets purchased for those routes and were affected by the weather event, Rodríguez Dávila indicated that they are working with the company Viajeros to prioritize those who were unable to travel and wish to do so at this time.
Hurricane Oscar, which made landfall in Cuba on October 20, left a trail of destruction in the easternmost province of the island, exacerbated by the communication disruptions caused by damage to the roads.
Recently, the Eastern Army of the Cuban Armed Forces (FAR) deployed a military tactical bridge between the municipality of Imías and the town of Jesús Lores in support of the local residents.
The original bridge connecting Jesús Lores with Imías has become dangerously compromised, including a water pipe that was swept away by the rising waters of the Guajacal River, which precariously supports it. Similarly, the road linking Cantillo to La Tinta in the municipality of Maisí has been severely affected.
A striking image of the movements of Cubans emerged when a group of residents from Imías reached their destination thanks to the assistance of a bulldozer, due to the collapse of a bridge.
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