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The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel arrived in Holguín on Thursday aboard a private jet, 24 hours after the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa through the eastern part of the island.
The images published by the Presidency of Cuba on X show the leader on the airport runway where he arrived and conversing with local authorities, during a visit aimed, according to the official report, at “assessing the damage and promoting immediate recovery.”
The detail about the jet, apparently the YV659T, which usually flies between domestic destinations in Cuba without disclosing who it transports or who funds it, did not go unnoticed in the videos that were circulated, at a time when thousands of families are facing the destruction of their homes, blackouts, and shortages of food and water.
The use of private aircraft by Díaz-Canel is not new and has even sparked previous controversies, such as his trip this year with Lis Cuesta to Honduras to attend the IX Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in the same executive jet.
The visit takes place amidst a wave of criticism over the president's statements, who claimed after the hurricane that “the measures have been effective” and that the country is “ready for recovery.”
Also on state television, his companion Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization of the Communist Party, reinforced that message by stating that “the people recognize the work done”.
However, reports from eastern Cuba reveal a very different reality, with destroyed homes, communities cut off from communication, and shelters lacking basic resources.
The activist Amelia Calzadilla accused him of "celebrating victory" without having visited the most affected areas. Others demanded transparency regarding donations and emergency management, and questioned the lack of assistance in communities where entire families had to seek shelter in caves or makeshift homes.
Citizens' reports from Santiago de Cuba indicate flooded streets, fallen electric poles, torn roofs, and isolated communities. In several eastern provinces, makeshift shelters lack mattresses, food, or medical care.
Díaz-Canel's arrival in Holguín on a private jet, against that backdrop, rekindles criticisms regarding the privileges of power and resource use during times of crisis.
This time, the scene is repeating itself, but against the backdrop of a natural disaster that has left thousands affected.
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