The brief appearance of Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz via videoconference during the National Defense Council meeting held on Friday, November 15, sparked considerable discussion in Cuba due to the cast on his arm.
The incident immediately sparked speculation regarding the leader's health and the reasons behind his "disappearance" from the news radar of the regime's official media following his unsuccessful appearance on Cuban Television on October 17, where he reported from Santiago de Cuba on the "energy emergency" that the following day led to a total collapse of the national electro-energy system (SEN).
Following the disastrous television appearance, the prime minister of Miguel Díaz-Canel's government "went off the air" and was not mentioned again for almost a month. At that time, the regime showcased him in a report from the Cuban Television News (NTV) through its state media, without his voice being heard and without mentioning the cast that was visible on his right arm during the videoconference.
"I appreciate the concern of those who have noticed my absence. A work accident while traveling through the eastern provinces has limited my mobility and prevented me from being with you in person," said Marrero Cruz this Saturday on X (formerly Twitter).
Without specifying what type of accident or injury he sustained to his arm, the prime minister assured that he remains "active and participating remotely in the main activities and decision-making of the government."
"I will soon be on the ground, as Fidel and Raúl taught us: standing and fighting," the leader added in his brief message.
At the end of August, Díaz-Canel also took to social media to announce that his arm had been immobilized due to "severe discomfort," in a message where he expressed gratitude to those who "cared" about his recovery.
"Thank you very much to those who have been concerned about my arm in a sling and to the excellent medical team that addressed severe discomfort in my shoulder," the leader posted on his X account.
He also explained that the right arm was "temporarily immobilized," but that "the left one is functioning fully, just like the rest of the body. Strong and ready to fight for the country."
For several weeks, the leader was seen "handsome and bandaged" with his arm in a sling, while the country was heading towards a deeper energy crisis and a complete collapse of its electrical infrastructure.
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