Hundreds of Cubans reacted with indignation on social media following the statements made by Dr. Francisco Durán García, the national director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), who claimed that "where a case appears, fumigation occurs" and defended the work of the vector control brigades in the country.
The responses came quickly. "Where do they spray? You really have a high opinion of yourselves," wrote one user. Another added, "That's not true, what fumigation is he talking about?"
The criticisms multiplied within hours. "Where are they fumigating? Because they don't even investigate," asked one person, while a Cuban reproached, "Where is a case found that they fumigate? I respect elderly people, but this is outrageous! What a way to lie to the world, yes, to the world, because the people don't see that due to the constant lack of electricity."
From various municipalities across the country, testimonies converged in denouncing the lack of fumigation, investigations, and health control. "Where are they fumigating? In Micro X, Alamar, there are several cases and no one shows up, not even to check. My grandchildren are in Casablanca, their grandmother and other relatives are there, and they aren't fumigating. What is this man talking about? As always, they are out of touch with reality," commented another user.
"Excuse me, Doctor, but where exactly are they fumigating? My neighborhood is under quarantine, and they haven't come for anything or anyone. Not a survey, nothing at all. Stop the exaggeration, and, with all due respect, Doctor, don't let yourself be manipulated," wrote an internet user.
From the center of the country, testimonies also came in: “Where are they fumigating? Here where I live, Santa Clara, I haven't seen a fumigator in over three years, neither in the houses nor on the streets. You have to pay for that, and even so, all the provinces, including mine, are all infected with all these diseases.”
Another Cuban recounted: “Dr. Durán, my neighborhood in Versalles, Santiago de Cuba, is full of chikungunya cases, with a significant impact on the patients' overall health. They haven’t done any fumigation, nor have they collected the garbage, which includes tree debris that breeds mosquitoes and gnats, and it's already been nine days.”
"With all the respect that Doctor Durán deserves, I would like him to tell me who told him that when there is a case of that dreaded disease, they come and fumigate. Forgive me, but let them not lie to you anymore; that is a lie and it's spreading throughout the country. It is for this reason and many others that people are losing hope. This is unprecedented," expressed another user, reflecting the sentiment of frustration and general distrust.
Indignation spread with stronger messages: “Where is that, because we've all been suffering here and they have never come to fumigate. Enough of the lies already.” “What a thick skin... you should be ashamed to come out and say so many lies,” said a Cuban woman. “But you have to respect yourself and stop speaking so many uncertain things,” added another person.
In addition to the criticisms regarding fumigation, there were complaints about the shortage of medications. “Sir, be clear, people are getting desperate because there are no medicines,” commented one user. “Painkillers? Where? Two or three working, that’s not because of the virus, this has been going on for years. It’s one thing after another,” pointed out another. One Cuban was more direct: “Which pharmacy in Cuba sells painkillers? They are all on the black market, and by the way, they are quite expensive. How long are they going to lie in the official media? Please put your feet on the ground and face reality.” And someone concluded: “It’s all a lie. My parents are forbidden from watching this nonsense; it’s all a lie.”
Citizen reactions contrast with Durán's own words, who recently stated that fumigations had intensified in Havana, Matanzas, and Cienfuegos with the support of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), and that the goal was to “reduce the mosquito infestation to cut transmission.” His statements are part of an intervention where he warned that chikungunya, dengue, and Oropouche keep Cuba on edge and claimed that control measures had been reinforced in the most affected areas.
However, the reports from MINSAP itself reveal a much more critical scenario. In its latest report, the ministry acknowledged more than 20,000 cases of chikungunya and admitted that 62% of the Aedes aegypti mosquito breeding sites are concentrated in Havana, Santiago, Camagüey, and Villa Clara, which demonstrates a poor control of the infestation and contradicts the official narrative regarding the effectiveness of the fumigation efforts.
The contradictions between the state discourse and the public complaints have deepened the loss of trust in Doctor Durán, whose image was respected during the COVID-19 pandemic but now faces a growing wave of public scrutiny. Months ago, citizens had already warned him: “Doctor Durán, with respect, stop lying to the people,” after he denied deaths from arbovirosis and downplayed the hospital collapse, according to testimonies collected at that time.
While the authorities insist that medical care and fumigation continue, citizens describe a different reality: neighborhoods lacking vector control, overcrowded hospitals, and entire families falling ill without access to medications.
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