Truck driver identified following serious traffic accident in Guanabacoa

The driver of a truck that overturned this Sunday morning on the Vía Monumental, near the Santa Fe Bridge, in the capital municipality of Guanabacoa, has been identified as Rider Cabrales Pérez, a young man from the municipality of Yara, in the province of Granma.

The tragic event occurred when transport inspectors stopped Cabrales.

According to eyewitnesses, upon returning to his vehicle after the inspection, the trailer with the container slid backward and fell into a ditch. Rider did not survive.

Her death has sparked a wave of outrage on social media and among local residents, as confirmed in the comments section of a post from the news portal La Tijera.

A dangerous road scenario and the accusation against the inspectors

Residents and regular drivers in the area have described the location of the accident as highly dangerous: a slope that leads into a curve, near a bridge, a bus stop, and several kiosks, with a constant flow of heavy trucks heading to the Berroa warehouses.

In that context, many question why the inspectors decided to stop a cargo vehicle in such a risky location.

One of the first to raise his voice was a local resident, who reported that "those inspectors are there 24 hours a day on that hill" and that "no one stops them."

His comment, which went viral, sparked a flood of responses echoing his denunciation: “They are there to make money,” “They are parasites of the system,” “They do nothing but mess with the drivers,” asserted dozens of users.

Many openly accused the inspectors of corruption, harassment, and negligence, pointing out that their presence at that location is common and that they use their authority to demand bribes.

Was it really an unavoidable accident?: Conflicting opinions

Some tried to attribute the tragedy to a possible driver error, arguing that the road is in good condition and that the reversing maneuver was "too risky."

However, other users quickly began to question that version.

A driver with 28 years of experience and a resident of Guanabacoa was emphatic: “That place is not suitable for conducting any type of vehicle inspection”, he stated, detailing the road conditions and the lack of safe space to stop.

Other witnesses claimed to have recorded the incident and described it as avoidable.

“It could have been avoided if the inspectors had approached the vehicle instead of forcing it to reverse,” commented several users.

The idea that the inspection was poorly executed, coupled with the reckless location, is the prevailing thesis among the majority.

A young victim, a shattered family, and a community in mourning

Beyond the debate about the causes, the collective pain over the loss of Rider Cabrales Pérez is evident. Hundreds of messages on social media expressed dismay.

“She was very young, she had a life ahead of her,” “A good friend, cheerful and kind,” “Left a shattered family,” “A great worker has gone,” were phrases echoed in dozens of comments.

Family, colleagues, and acquaintances remember him as a humble young man who was just beginning to carve out his path in his trade.

His body was taken to Yara, his hometown, where friends and family said their final goodbyes.

"Ridersito studied with me, I can't believe it," "Fly high, brother," "Rest in peace alongside your dad," "You were a victim of an injustice that cries out to the heavens," were some of the expressions of grief.

Demand for justice and a call for a thorough investigation

The community demands justice. Numerous drivers have shared accounts of the irregular behavior of inspectors at various locations across the country.

Some claim that these officials "stop whoever they want, regardless of the danger," and that they are only looking to gain personal benefits.

Many are calling for exemplary sanctions and assert that if no measures are taken, similar accidents will happen again.

Even more moderate voices admit that the problem is not just the inspectors, but the lack of oversight from the Ministry of Transport.

"There is no surprise control, there are no consequences. Those who commit abuses continue to cause harm," lamented an internet user.

Other comments highlight the need for inspections to be conducted in appropriate locations, with clear protocols, and to impose limits on the arbitrariness with which some inspectors operate on the routes.

Accident rates in Cuba

Between January and March 2025, Cuba recorded 1,738 accidents, 144 fewer than in the same quarter of the previous year. There was also a decrease in injuries: 1,514 people were injured, 87 fewer than in 2024. However, the number of fatalities increased from 146 to 173, an increase of 27 deaths.

Despite the implementation of control measures, traffic accidents are a critical problem in Cuba. The government continues to blame human factors, while avoiding addressing structural causes such as the deterioration of roads, the lack of proper signage, and the public transportation crisis, which forces many to use risky means of transport.

In January, the government identified drivers as the primary responsible parties for traffic accidents in Cuba, when assessing the causes of road incidents during 2024.

Failing to pay proper attention to vehicle control was the main cause of traffic accidents last year, followed by disregard for right of way and speeding, according to a report from the Specialized Traffic Body of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR).

In its report on road accidents during 2023, the Cuban government attributed 91% of the incidents to human factors.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages and the violation of traffic laws are also common causes of traffic accidents. Additionally, there is a need to reinforce both the mandatory breaks for professional drivers and the structural maintenance of bridges and road signage in high-risk areas.

These factors are compounded by the widespread deterioration of old cars still on the roads in Cuba, along with the poor condition of the highways, a combination that is proving fatal and contributes to the increasingly deadly accidents being reported in the country.

The Cuban government has acknowledged that 75% of the country's roads and circulation routes are in a condition ranging from fair to poor. This situation poses a significant challenge for the communist regime, as it directly impacts the quality of life for citizens and the provision of essential services.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Accident in Guanabacoa and the Traffic Situation in Cuba