The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) has remained silent regarding the tragic accident that occurred on the western bypass of Camagüey last Friday, in which two buses collided, resulting in a preliminary toll of three fatalities and more than fifty injured, including soldiers.
According to Miguel Arias Velázquez, provincial delegate of transportation in Camagüey, the buses involved were a Transmetro coming from Santiago de Cuba, which was carrying regular passengers, and another bus that was transporting soldiers from the Central Military Unit (UMC) No. 4 from Havana.
Interviewed by the Cuban Television News (NTV), the official explained that the accident occurred when the military bus failed to yield at the stop sign while merging onto the central road, encroaching into the Transmetro lane and causing the collision, an alleged responsibility that has also been obscured by the silence of MINFAR.
Explosions at Military Warehouse in Holguín: Another Case of Information Opacity
Days earlier, in the early hours of January 7, there were explosions at an armament and ammunition storage facility in the community of Melones, Rafael Freyre municipality, Holguín.
The MINFAR reported that 13 people are missing, including two officers, two non-commissioned officers, and nine soldiers, mostly young recruits fulfilling their Mandatory Military Service.
Families of the missing have expressed their despair and complain about the lack of information and rescue efforts from the authorities. According to testimonies, the recruits were handling hazardous materials without the necessary training or equipment, which may have contributed to the tragedy.
Silence from MINFAR and reactions
In both cases, the MINFAR has been criticized for its lack of transparency and communication. After the explosions in Holguín, the ministry issued a brief informative note and has not provided details about the rescue efforts or the status of the missing individuals.
This secrecy has sparked outrage among the public and the victims' families, who are demanding answers and concrete actions.
The lack of official information and the perception of negligence in the management of these crises have heightened citizens' distrust towards the authorities. The population is demanding greater transparency and accountability in the handling of situations that impact the lives of citizens, especially when they involve young people in military service.
These incidents highlight the need for a thorough review of the security and communication protocols of the MINFAR, as well as a more effective response to the demands for information and justice from Cuban society.
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