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Mourning today engulfs the town of Guayos: Arniel Díaz Pacheco, one of the injured in the explosions that occurred during the celebration of the centennial parrandas in that locality of the province of Sancti Spíritus, died this Wednesday due to the severe burns he suffered.
The news of the passing was announced on social media by Javier Carta, a float artisan and friend of Díaz Pacheco, who was injured when several mortars exploded in the fireworks area of the La Loma neighborhood in the early morning of November 15, during the start of the celebrations.
Odalis Pacheco, aunt of the deceased, confirmed on social media the painful event, which has resulted in an irreplaceable loss for this Cuban family.
"Once again our family is in mourning, fly high my nephew, rest in peace ARNIEL," he expressed.
Díaz Pacheco remained in critical condition for a period of 11 days at the Camilo Cienfuegos Provincial General Hospital in the city of Sancti Spíritus, where all the injured were admitted following the two explosions reported during the famous public celebrations.
Until now, there is no official confirmation of the young man's death.
In addition to the deep sorrow for his family and friends, the death of Díaz Pacheco has shocked the community of parranderos in Guayos, the group of La Loma, to which he belonged, and the entire local population, who mourn the loss of this young man in the prime of his life.
“Guayos is in mourning, the La Loma neighborhood is in mourning, my festive artillerymen are in mourning, my condolences to the Pacheco family, your brother, and friends. History, time passes, but your image and charisma will live on forever, tanke, for me more than an honor to have known you (...) Rest in peace Anniel Pacheco, your red neighborhood is mourning you today,” were the heartfelt words of Javier Carta in the message posted on Facebook, where he shared photos with his friend.
Another moving text was written by Ismail Hernández Alonso in memory of Díaz Pacheco: “The people of the Brave Goats and the Joyful Frogs mourn in grief, and anguish unfurls its dark breath over a tradition that celebrated its Centenary without imagining the price that had to be paid for such a celebration. Unyielding pain, irreparable absences, mourning, tears, now indelible memories of joy and happiness crowd the minds of all who knew you; another young life has slipped away and no one resigns themselves to the loss,” he lamented.
Additionally, he sent condolences to his family, especially to his mother Martha, on behalf of the Parrandera Community of Central Northern Cuba.
Hernández reminisced about the tragic fireworks accident that occurred in Guayos on December 2, 1987, when eight teenagers and one adult lost their lives, including a member of the Pacheco family.
During the recent celebration of the parrandas, two mortar explosions were reported, resulting in a total of nine injuries. Two of them were reported by doctors as being in critical condition, with a threat to their lives; three were serious, and the rest sustained less serious or minor injuries.
The previous week, the provincial press reported that one of the patients was in extremely critical condition, but did not reveal their identity. Following that medical update, no further official information was provided regarding the progress of the injured.
A relative of one of the injured gave statements to Martí Noticias in which they provided details about the young man, reported in critical condition.
Yohan Piñeiro Santana, 36 years old, suffered severe burns on his face, arms, and feet when one of the fireworks that had been launched fell into a sack of mortars and exploded while he was watching the fireworks display in the La Loma neighborhood, according to a family member. His medical progress in recent days is unknown.
The Guayos Parrandas, recognized as Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2013 and declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2018, celebrated their centenary this year.
As is tradition, prior to the celebrations, the locals showcased their creativity and ingenuity for months to compete in a friendly rivalry divided into two neighborhoods: La Loma (represented by the goat and the color red) and Cantarrana (identified by the frog and the color green), featuring floats, congas, fireworks, and parades that bring together thousands of people from across Cuba.
The current edition was scheduled for early November; however, it was postponed by the government of the municipality of Cabaiguán, which caused significant discontent among the residents.
Local authorities cited economic, health, and social sensitivity reasons due to the national situation following Hurricane Melissa, which devastated eastern Cuba, along with the critical epidemiological context brought on by the circulation of several arboviral diseases.
Many Guayenses deemed the suspension unjustified and interpreted it as a sign of the lack of political will to support popular cultural expressions amid the widespread crisis in the country.
Finally, its execution was approved, which has been overshadowed by two accidents and the recent death of one of the injured partygoers.
Accidents involving fireworks are common during these celebrations in Cuba. In 2018, during the parrandas of Camajuaní in Villa Clara, two men suffered severe burns. Meanwhile, at the end of 2017, during the festivities held in Remedios, also in that province, a fire in a fireworks storage facility injured 39 people, eight of them critically.
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