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Officials from the Water Supply and Sanitation Company of Matanzas reported that two individuals were caught in the act while tampering with a regulating valve responsible for redistributing the flow to various areas of the city.
According to a post from the Periódico Girón, the incident occurred during control patrols carried out by members of the company's Board of Directors in the evening. The individuals were operating valves located in Peñas Altas and allegedly attempted to redirect the supply towards the Playa area.
The state entity classified the incident as "a serious misconduct that could be penalized by the laws and regulations governing the work of this sector." In its statement, the company recalled that "no citizen can manipulate the distribution and supply systems," as such actions "represent a detriment to a large number of residents."
The statement also mentioned that, alongside this incident, "the situation was manipulated by slandering one of our executives while attempting to address the misconduct of these residents." The Water Company indicated that the incident was "promptly reported to the competent authorities" and that the results of the investigation will be communicated soon.
A few hours earlier, the official media had published the article “A new pumping equipment will be installed to benefit the high area of Matanzas”, which reported that specialized brigades from the Waterworks were working on the installation of a horizontal pump “to enhance the distribution to this populated area of the provincial capital, which has suffered from shortages in recent times.” The text also stated that with the new equipment “a greater volume of water is expected to reach the affected areas,” thereby acknowledging the supply issues in the same area where the incident with the valves later occurred.
The complaint about the manipulation was echoed by the Provincial Government of the People's Power in Matanzas through its official social media channels.
Discontent and criticism mark the debate
Following the publication, dozens of users expressed their dissatisfaction with the water scarcity in Matanzas and questioned the official account of events. “Why does the population have to manipulate the valves? Why isn't the person responsible for doing their job?” commented an internet user, who also pointed out that “if the water were to reach our homes, there would be no need for this.”
Another user stated, "It's been almost a year since water has come into my house; this situation is frustrating." In the comments, it was also noted that "the water does come if the valve is manipulated correctly, but one must be willing to do the job properly."
"In my neighborhood, we have been without water for over two years," said one person, while another participant asserted, "It seems there's a business involved with the water trucks because we always have to pay exorbitant prices, and nobody controls anything."
Some internet users directly held the water supply management accountable: "The officials at Hydrology must answer... The oversight in favor of the population is not working. They can't leave us without water." Another comment added: "We have bedridden elderly people, and we go entire days without a drop."
Several users agreed that the problem lies not with the population, but with the lack of management and institutional control. "This must be happening throughout the city because it's impossible for water to come only one day a month," wrote one of them. Another summarized: "The technique is the technique, and without technique, there is no technique… a guaranteed profit."
Some described the official statement as “information created to cover up a situation that is starting to point to the real culprits,” while others deemed it “an opportunistic news piece to justify the unjustifiable.” One comment warned: “Are you going to make me believe that there is a network operating all the keys and valves throughout the city of Matanzas without anyone noticing?”
"The water does arrive, it's just that they don't open the valves properly," read another reaction, while a neighbor claimed that "when there's a will, there's a way, even if it means using rubber bands and wire, but there's no concern about anything."
There were also direct reports of irregularities: "The person responsible for turning on the tap does not do so as required or does not turn it on, leading to a lack of water, forcing those affected to purchase water trucks... we already know this is a business."
Other comments reflected frustration and exhaustion: “We have no water, how long is this situation going to last?”; “Control is needed because there’s never any water and that never used to happen”; “We have rivers, but the water never reaches us.”
Overall, the comments reveal a common pattern of dissatisfaction: complaints about the lack of service, accusations of institutional neglect, and suspicions of corruption in the management of supplies. The publication by Periódico Girón, far from ending the debate, amplified the citizens' demand for an effective solution to the water crisis in Matanzas.
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