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A barge located on the malecón of Santiago de Cuba was once again involved in an incident in recent hours, drifting off the coast despite having been previously rescued after a process of refloating and partial repairs.
The information was revealed by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada through a post on Facebook, where he denounced the new episode as a sign of neglect and lack of management over a vessel that could have been beneficial for the city.
According to Mayeta, it is the same barge that was reported months ago for its state of semi-sinking in front of the Santiaguera park and which, after pressure from citizens on social media, was salvaged and placed under the supposed management of the Office of the City Conservator.
However, the result, he stated, has been "more of the same," as the boat ended up out of control once again in the waters visible to everyone.
According to the information received by the journalist, the barge drifted in the Santiago bay and, shortly after, began to be towed again to the location where it was previously found.
At that point, it now remains without a defined use, awaiting a solution that will allow it to regain some functionality.
Mayeta recalled that the structure was once a culinary center and that the project ultimately failed, like other state-run businesses, due to management issues and a lack of vision.
In his post, the communicator indicated that the fate of the vessel would be different if it were under private management, with investment, design, and a stable service that could transform it into an appealing space for residents and visitors.
Meanwhile, he warned that, under the current scheme, it will continue to be an abandoned and potentially dangerous element in the bay.
The new incident generated numerous reactions among users who commented on the post.
Some expressed their frustration with phrases like "what is not adrift in this country?"
Several residents of Santiago expressed their regret over the deterioration of the city’s iconic facilities, mentioning parks, recreational spaces, and dining centers that, they said, have been falling apart due to lack of maintenance.
Other users resorted to humor to describe the scene, even suggesting that the duck "wants to emigrate."
The episode occurs after a long series of events related to this same vessel.
On August 6th, the barge collapsed in front of the Malecón in Santiago de Cuba, near the Alameda, after months of deterioration without maintenance, eventually becoming partially submerged in the bay.
At that moment, neighbors and activists raised concerns about the loss of infrastructure that could have been rehabilitated for maritime transport or as a recreational space, in a city with a navigable bay and amidst a deep energy and transportation crisis.
Following the release of images and reports on social media, authorities began rescue efforts.
Days later, it was reported that the barge had been completely refloated and that a second phase of work would commence, consisting of the welding of internal cracks for its transfer to shipyard facilities, where it would undergo restoration and maintenance.
At that time, the goal was announced to return it to the city as a functional space, even as a restaurant boat.
The fact that the barge has once again been left adrift raises the questions that were already posed since its initial sinking: who is responsible for its current condition, what is the actual plan for its use, and how much longer will the potential of the Santiago bay be wasted as an alternative in a context marked by a shortage of urban transport and energy difficulties?
For many city residents, this new incident reinforces the perception that the solutions have been temporary and that the structural management issues remain unresolved.
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