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The Cuban leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, expressed his condolences to the people and government of China on Tuesday for the victims of an earthquake in Tibet, before referring to the fire that occurred in a warehouse of the Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) in Holguín, which resulted in 13 missing persons, among them young individuals who were reportedly fulfilling their Military Service.
"We express our solidarity with the people, the Party, and Government of China for the unfortunate loss of life and the damage caused by the strong earthquake in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Our condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims," tweeted the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) early in the morning.
Later, around midday (more than six hours after the initial reports about the explosions at the FAR arsenal), Díaz-Canel made his first public statement regarding the incident and expressed his sorrow over the tragic event that took place in Holguín, conveying his solidarity with "the families of the 13 missing individuals."
"We deeply regret the fire that occurred in a warehouse of the MINFAR in Melones, in the municipality of Rafael Freyre, Holguín. We stand in solidarity with and support the families of the 13 missing persons. Full attention is being given to what happened there, and the causes are being investigated," said the governor.
Indignation on social media
The order and manner in which the leader addressed both events sparked a wave of criticism on social media. A post from the Cuban activist Miryorly García reflected the sentiments of many Cubans:
"What indignation! I cannot remain silent about the lack of shame and humanity of this government and the Cuban press. […] It is something psychopathic, so cold, so indifferent, that it is frightening. No one is safe, poor mothers who were 'informed,' how painful it is to know once again that our lives and those of our children do not matter to them."
The user also criticized the official media's coverage, which limited information about the incident in Holguín, mentioning only names and vague figures of the missing, while dedicating extensive reports to Díaz-Canel's recent trip to the Sierra Maestra, where he was filmed participating in celebratory activities.
Indeed, this fact has been one of the most scrutinized in light of the emergency situation and tragedy unfolding in Holguín, where a dozen families are grappling with the painful news of the disappearance and possible death of their loved ones.
This Monday, Díaz-Canel participated in an absurd propaganda event and ascended to the General Command of La Plata as part of the route 'With Fidel in the Heights'. Less than 24 hours later, on Tuesday morning, explosions were reported in Melones, located just 200 kilometers from where the leader of the so-called "continuity" had been the day before.
The fire at the Melones warehouse has left 13 people missing, including allegedly new soldiers fulfilling their military service, according to comments from relatives and neighbors on social media.
However, the authorities have not specified the ages or the circumstances of the tragedy, which has heightened the distrust and pain of the affected families.
Although initially the official media indicated that "in the military unit near Gibara aging ammunition was being classified", this information was later removed from the Cubadebate portal, but it was reproduced in other official media such as Tribuna de La Habana.
This event adds to other recent incidents that have revealed flaws in safety and government secrecy in emergency management, intensifying the perception of abandonment and insensitivity from the regime towards the Cuban population, such as the fire at the Supertankers Base in Matanzas or the deadly explosion at the Saratoga hotel in Havana.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Explosion at the Military Warehouse in Holguín and the Response from the Cuban Government
What happened at the military warehouse in Holguín?
On January 7, 2025, explosions occurred at a weapons storage facility in Melones, Rafael Freyre municipality, Holguín, due to a fire while outdated munitions were being sorted. The incident left 13 people missing, including soldiers who were performing military service.
Why was Díaz-Canel criticized after the explosion in Holguín?
Miguel Díaz-Canel was criticized because he first expressed condolences for an earthquake in China before addressing the explosion in Holguín, where 13 people went missing. This order in his statements generated outrage, as many perceived a lack of sensitivity towards the Cuban people affected by the tragedy.
What has been the official response from MINFAR regarding the explosions?
The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) reported that investigations are ongoing to determine the status of the affected personnel and the damage to property. However, so far no clear conclusions have been offered regarding the causes or the overall impact of the incident.
What measures have been taken following the incident in Holguín?
Following the explosions, 1,245 people from nearby communities were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Authorities have established a committee to investigate the causes of the fire and assess the associated risks.
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