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The sculpture known as "the woman with the umbrella," the only decorative element remaining on the pedestrian boulevard of the city of Holguín, is at risk of collapsing due to the significant deterioration of its base.
The alert was issued by the Facebook page Holguín en Fotos, which published images of the critical state of the work and demanded that the authorities act immediately.
"We urge the relevant authorities to take urgent measures before it deteriorates completely or an accident occurs," the publication stated.
The sculpture depicts a standing female figure on a rock, holding an open umbrella in her right hand, posed elegantly. It is made of reinforced concrete with a finish that simulates a bronze patina.
The photographs show deep and extensive cracks in multiple directions, holes at the base, exposed rusty reinforcement metal rods, and material detachment.
"The deterioration in the foot area is causing it to dangerously tilt forward," the text warned.
The report prompted a widespread citizen reaction, with comments ranging from indignation to dark humor.
User Yuniel Basulto directly questioned the authorities: "They see this every day and the bigwigs in the government do nothing. Where is the budget to fix this? They must be waiting for a tragic accident to happen."
Rolando Batista recalled that approximately two years ago, the provincial telecentre TeleCristal reported that there was a commission responsible for maintaining the boulevard, "but it seems that no longer exists and there is no one in charge. Each day, that area deteriorates more and more. And that is indifference, irresponsibility, a lack of concern."
User Katia Oduardo Grimal proposed a practical solution: "I believe they should remove it and put it in safekeeping until the sculptor restores it; it is also a danger to people."
Other commentators noted that the boulevard on Libertad Street has even lost its exclusive pedestrian character, now allowing traffic from tricycles, scooters, bicycles, and vendors of agricultural products—something that was previously prohibited and punishable by fines.
Salvatore Lázaro Augello Díaz pointed out the contradiction between the neglect of heritage and the spending on other projects. "A lot of cement and materials have been wasted on kiosks and other items for leasing to self-employed workers in areas of the stadium and behind the Feliú."
The deterioration of the sculpture is part of a broader pattern of urban neglect in Holguín, a city that for decades was regarded as one of the cleanest and best-preserved in Cuba.
On Friday, residents demanded a systematic garbage collection due to the proliferation of makeshift dumps in the Alcides Pino neighborhood.
In February, the profanation and neglect of the Mayabe municipal cemetery was reported, with broken niches and exposed skeletal remains.
In December 2025, a man was caught in broad daylight and without any pretense, while tearing down a section of the metal fence that marks the bus stop on Aricochea Street, in the Major General Julio Grave de Peralta Park, better known as the Flower Park, across from Telecristal.
Yarlien Pavon bitterly summed up the feelings of many: "The whole country is falling apart; that sculpture is not going to fall."
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