A surprise tour of state facilities in Guantánamo revealed significant shortcomings in security and protection, exposing a troubling organizational disorder amid the energy crisis.
According to the official newspaper Venceremos, during an inspection led by Yoel Pérez García, the first secretary of the Party in the province, and Omar Estrada Soto, the coordinator of government objectives for the province, they found guards who were absent, sleeping, or poorly positioned in key warehouses such as those for Construction Materials.
At the UEB Frutas Selectas Guantánamo, the only security guard present at the facility was found sound asleep, highlighting the vulnerability of this important infrastructure.
However, the deficiencies are not limited to oversight. In the Dairy Products Company, several positions were unfilled while the management position remained vacant.
At the Caridad Jaca Nursing Home, the alarming lack of protection for its residents became evident, to the point that a reinforcement of the security team and the establishment of a command post were required—measures that reflect the neglect in attending to the most vulnerable populations.
"In warehouse 655 of the Majorista, the guards were poorly positioned, concentrating in three areas near the entrance and two at the front of a storage building, with the latter almost dozing off, while key areas of the facility remained unprotected," Venceremos reported.
While some sectors, such as the Beverage and Soft Drink Company, demonstrated adequate performance, the majority of the inspected facilities showed an alarming lack of organization, exacerbated by the ongoing energy crises.
In a context where the diversion of resources and illegal activities continue to be a recurring issue, these failures in protection not only leave facilities vulnerable but also highlight the system's inability to respond efficiently to current demands.
However, the government of Guantánamo seems to ignore the other side of the coin: the high level of neglect and abandonment that the guards at state facilities endure, working without proper equipment and facing an increase in violence, including armed robberies.
A woman working as a custodian at the Norte Juan de la Cruz Martínez Maceira Children's Hospital, known as "La Ondi," in Santiago de Cuba, was assaulted and injured by two young men, according to a report that emerged this Sunday.
In a preliminary report on Facebook, communicator Yosmany Mayeta also denounced that the police did not show up at the scene to investigate the incident, but instead sent the assaulted worker to make her statement at the station.
At the end of November, there were also reports of robberies targeting patients and their companions at the Dr. Antonio María Béguez César Children's Hospital, located in Santiago de Cuba.
The assault and aggression against a guard occurred just a few weeks after the murders of two other guards who were on duty at their workplaces: the state agropecuary market El Santiaguero and the Café Continental restaurant; and following an attack on a third guard at the El Acuario restaurant, who survived the assault.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Disorder in Guantánamo and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What did the surprise inspection in Guantánamo reveal about security at state facilities?
The surprise inspection in Guantánamo revealed serious shortcomings in the security and protection of various state facilities. Guards were found to be absent or asleep in key warehouses, reflecting a troubling organizational disorder amid the ongoing energy crisis in the region.
How is the energy crisis affecting the security and operation of infrastructure in Cuba?
The energy crisis is exacerbating security and operational issues in Cuba's infrastructure. Frequent blackouts weaken surveillance in state facilities, increasing vulnerability to theft and criminal acts, while the lack of electricity impacts basic services such as drinking water and food preservation.
What measures are being taken to address the organizational disarray in Guantánamo?
Following the inspection, it has been proposed to strengthen security with measures such as increasing surveillance personnel and implementing command posts. However, the lack of investment and resources remains a significant obstacle to effectively addressing the organizational disorder in Guantánamo.
¿Cómo están reaccionando las autoridades ante la creciente inseguridad y robos en Cuba?
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Cuban authorities are demonstrating an inadequate response to the rising insecurity and thefts. Incidents such as the assault on a guard in Santiago de Cuba and thefts at state facilities highlight the lack of effective action to protect workers and citizens.
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