The Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), Roberto Morales Ojeda, assured during the Round Table broadcasted by the state channel Caribe that, after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, “the people of Cuba, the provinces that have been affected, recognize the overall work that has been done.”
In his intervention, the head of the Ideological Political Work Body stated that “we have been monitoring all networks and the people's opinion system” and noted that “this also speaks to the effectiveness with which we have been fulfilling our plans.” He added that “the people's opinion and the interpretation of what can be observed on social media is also a reflection of the trust in the Party, in the Government, and in each of its institutions.”
The statements made by Morales Ojeda came after the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel asserted on his X account that “the measures have been effective” and that the country is “ready for recovery,” following the “significant damage” caused by Hurricane Melissa in the eastern region. In his message, the leader maintained that “control over the situation is upheld” and that “we have prepared for the worst-case scenario.”
However, these statements generated a wave of criticism on social media, where numerous users reported unattended emergencies, makeshift evacuations, and shortages in assistance. Activist Amelia Calzadilla accused him of "claiming victory" without confirming the real situation in the eastern part of the country and urged him to ask the populace if they truly feel that the measures have been effective.
Before the impact of the cyclone, Raúl Castro sent a message to the people in which he expressed "satisfaction for the responsibility with which the work has been carried out and the level of preparedness" and assured that "facing this new challenge, we will also emerge victorious." The triumphant tone of Raúl Castro's speech and the statements from Díaz-Canel and Morales Ojeda contrast with citizen reports from the most affected provinces, where Hurricane Melissa left destroyed homes, power outages, flooded streets, and a shortage of basic resources.
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