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A new episode of tension between authorities and citizens has once again shaken Santiago de Cuba, this time in the locality of Micro 1 B in the Abel Santamaría Urban Center, where a sector chief of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) was assaulted while trying to identify two individuals allegedly linked to the sale of a water tank.
The information was confirmed this Wednesday by the official profile Héroes del Moncada, on Facebook, which stated that the incident occurred on Monday, September 1, in the afternoon.
According to his account, the officer, while fully exercising his duties, recognized two individuals apparently involved in a theft and attempted to demand identification from them.
At that moment, a verbal and physical dispute broke out, which ended with the intervention of neighbors and other law enforcement agents.
However, the first news of the incident was published on the same Monday by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta, who reported on Facebook: “The head of the PNR Sector is fighting with two other people in El Salao over a water tank.”
His publication ignited controversy on social media, where comments from witnesses and residents of the area reflect the climate of desperation experienced in the neighborhoods of Santiago.
Some users emphasized that the conflict must be understood in the context of the water scarcity that is affecting the city.
"Everyone needs water right now. And the sector chief is also a human being who has a family and needs like everyone else," wrote Mercedes Rodríguez Yebra.
Others, on the other hand, interpreted what happened as a reflection of the social crisis. “They are so desperate that they fight among themselves, not with the people, only to later accuse him of assault,” remarked Yunior Morandeira.
The violence associated with the lack of water also surfaced in the comments.
"Listen, I would take a machete to a bucket of water," expressed Fernelis Elvira Castelnau Carballo bluntly, while Thalia Torres pointed out that the altercation "wasn't just about the tank, but also because they assaulted the officer, or the officer assaulted them, I don't know."
Other neighbors insisted that the origin of the clash was in the black market for plastic tanks, a highly sought-after item in Santiago due to the supply crisis.
"It wasn't because of that, but because they asked for documents related to the tanks and their origin, since tanks have been stolen from there. There was a leak, meaning there's a crime involved, and on top of that, the high prices they are being sold for, sometimes even stolen," commented Karina Barrera.
In El Sala'o they're destroying the tanks, he had to ask for documents,” added Milena Castillo, while YazmiraLuisa Rodríguez Rivera stated that the theft of tanks “seems to be the modus operandi in that area.”
Some witnesses even confirmed that the altercation escalated from words to fists. "I saw the fight, bully, they started throwing punches and everything," concluded Thalia Torres.
The incident, beyond the official report, reflects the explosive combination of scarcity, black market activity, and repression in a city marked by the precariousness of basic services.
The lack of drinking water, combined with power outages and rising prices, has turned daily life into a breeding ground for confrontation between citizens and authorities.
While the regime insists on classifying these events as "attacks" against authority, the social reality presents a different picture: neighborhoods where survival demands increasingly greater sacrifices, and where a simple water tank can trigger violence.
In recent years, there has been a rise in incidents of violence involving law enforcement on the island. In Holguín, a police officer was killed while responding to a brawl, an event that left the community shocked and highlighted the increasing insecurity on the streets.
At the same time, institutional violence has also been recurrent. In the capital, a police patrol brutally struck a motorcyclist after knocking him down in the middle of the street, an incident that was recorded on video and sparked outrage on social media. Weeks earlier, another recorded case showed how two officers restrained a young man and, despite being handcuffed, assaulted him on the hood of the patrol car.
Repression has also been linked to public demonstrations. Amid protests against the rise in basic service rates, a citizen was beaten by a police officer for expressing his rejection of the rate increase, reflecting the atmosphere of social tension and the lack of peaceful channels to express discontent.
Frequently Asked Questions about Insecurity and Conflicts in Santiago de Cuba
What happened in the incident at Micro 1 B in Santiago de Cuba?
A sector chief of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) was assaulted while attempting to identify two individuals linked to the buying and selling of a water tank. The situation became violent when a verbal and physical dispute erupted involving neighbors and other law enforcement officers. This incident highlights the tensions arising from the water shortage in the city.
What motivates the conflicts in Santiago de Cuba related to water?
The water scarcity in Santiago de Cuba has created a climate of desperation among the citizens. The lack of regular access to water has turned simple tanks into highly sought-after goods, leading to violent altercations and an active black market. This crisis adds to other problems such as power outages and rising prices, exacerbating social tension in the region.
How has the Cuban government responded to the growing insecurity in Santiago de Cuba?
The Cuban government has classified some of these conflicts as "attacks" against authority, but the perception among the population is one of inaction and inability to address the growing insecurity. This sentiment is reflected in citizen intervention in response to crimes and the lack of effective measures to improve the situation regarding shortages of basic services.
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