The Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) has not only cast a veil of silence over the past four days regarding the 13 missing individuals in the explosions that occurred in a military warehouse in Holguín province, but it has also responded to criticisms with blatant bravado and displays on its social media of young individuals preparing for "war."
In recent hours, the MINFAR Facebook profile has shared several videos showing teenagers from the Military Service in one case and university students in another, preparing for that long-anticipated conflict with the neighbor 90 miles to the north.
"Ready to defend the homeland", can be read alongside one of the videos showing teenagers handling weapons.
In several recent publications, the Ministry of the Armed Forces announced the celebration, on January 21, of the University Student Bastion.
The origin of such bastions dates back to the distant year of 1975 and involves all the university campuses in the country, as they clarified.
In one of the photos announcing the event, the MINFAR did not hesitate to show a young person wearing a gas mask, an image particularly sensitive given the recent explosions.
"I see those masks and remember the chemical explosions in Holguín"; "Not a single note more, nor even a discreet follow-up regarding news about the Melones tragedy. Why?", questioned two internet users in the comments section.
"The phantom enemy... what they need to do is start picking up trash in Havana and stop eating so much junk on Facebook"; "Man, they eat garbage..., buddy, war or no war..."; mocked two other commenters.
The reality is that the images shared by MINFAR not only highlight the tragedy, further neglecting the fate of the 13 missing individuals, but also indirectly respond to the growing demands for the end of Mandatory Military Service in Cuba with a clear stance: the regime is not willing to negotiate the compulsory recruitment of young people for military purposes.
Four days of absolute silence about the missing
It was last Friday that the MINFAR published its latest update on the case of the explosions in an "Informative Note" in which it confirmed the return of the evacuees to their homes, but avoided any specific reference to what the "actions" are to locate the 13 missing persons.
The highest authority of the Armed Forces in Cuba pointed out that “specialized actions are still being carried out”, without specifying what they are or for what purpose.
Meanwhile, the families of the missing have repeatedly expressed their grievances that the authorities did nothing to save their loved ones.
"They did not search at any moment. They told the relatives that they could not do it because it could cause more explosions and they could not risk more lives, and they had to wait 72 hours", denounced Jesús Antonio, uncle of the recruit Liander José García Oliva, 19 years old.
"They went to the parents' house and communicated that there was no probability of life, that if anyone were alive, they would have already tried to get out. It hurts me because they declared them dead without searching for them," he added.
Residents of the town of Melones experienced moments of panic and anguish on Tuesday, January 7 when they began to hear explosions from a fire in an Army ammunition depot. Initially, most people reacted by staying in their homes, but soon they decided that fleeing was the best option.
Videos shared on social media showed the fear of residents in the area as explosions were heard and no one knew the cause. People rushed out of their homes and ran while calling out to each other.
Hours after the incident, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces confirmed that there were 13 missing: four officers and nine soldiers.
According to testimonies collected from social media and independent media, the recruits were handling potentially dangerous materials without the necessary training or equipment.
Images captured by local residents showed orange flames, which could indicate the presence of chemical substances.
The MINFAR, for its part, assured that access to the site would be granted “as soon as conditions allow”, and that the return of the evacuees to their homes had been authorized after assessing that there was no immediate danger.
These statements have been insufficient to calm the outrage of the relatives, who believe that no concrete measures have been taken to locate their loved ones.
Meanwhile, the MINFAR is puffing up its chest and preparing for "war."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Explosions at the Holguín Military Warehouse
What has happened at the military warehouse in Holguín?
On January 7, 2025, a fire at an Army ammunition depot in Melones, Holguín, caused explosions that left 13 people missing. The victims include four officers and nine soldiers, most of whom were young recruits of the Military Service.
How has the MINFAR responded to criticisms regarding its handling of the incident?
The Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) has been criticized for its silence and lack of transparency. Instead of providing clear updates on the missing individuals, MINFAR has shared content on social media related to the military training of young people, which has sparked outrage among citizens.
Have rescue efforts been undertaken for the missing?
So far, no effective rescue actions have been initiated due to the dangerous conditions in the disaster area. MINFAR has declared that access to the area will be made "as soon as conditions allow", but no clear timeline or specific details regarding the measures to be taken have been provided.
What has been the reaction of the families of the missing persons?
The families of the missing have expressed their discontent and indignation over the lack of action and communication from the authorities. They have reported that no concrete measures have been taken to locate their loved ones, and some relatives are willing to enter the disaster area on their own in search of the missing.
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