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Residents of the rural area of Baconao, in Santiago de Cuba, reported a situation of total isolation that combines more than two months without a stable water supply, prolonged power outages, and the removal of the only bus that connected the community to the rest of the city.
The complaints were gathered by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada and also shared on social media by resident Yulaidy Ge Martines, who described the situation as unsustainable.
"We make a desperate and urgent call to the authorities and anyone who can hear from Baconao. In this town, we have been completely isolated: we are without transport, without food, and without electricity. We have absolutely nothing," wrote Ge Martines on Facebook.
According to the testimonies received, the neighbors have been without a stable water supply for over two months, being forced to carry it from distant places to meet their most basic needs.
“We have to carry water from distant places. The water supply is only available for one hour, and they don’t bring anything to the warehouses,” complained a resident who requested to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisals.
The situation worsened further in recent days following the withdrawal of the only bus that served the community, which occurred about a week ago without any public explanation from the authorities.
"We are without transportation. There are children, elderly people, and sick individuals living here. No one is telling us anything, and we are already tired," expressed another resident.
The lack of transportation prevents residents from traveling to find food, attending medical appointments, completing paperwork, or reaching their workplaces.
The supply in the warehouses is almost nonexistent, and when any distribution arrives, it is prioritized solely for children aged zero to four and adults over 65.
Baconao is located about 20 km from the city of Santiago de Cuba, within a protected area of approximately 84,900 hectares, making it particularly vulnerable to the reduction of public transportation.
The crisis facing Baconao is part of a structural emergency affecting the entire province.
The Electric Company of Santiago de Cuba admitted that it cannot guarantee even two hours of daily electricity service, while the national electricity deficit exceeded 2,000 MW in June, resulting in power outages of up to 40 and 50 consecutive hours in some neighborhoods of Santiago.
This accumulated deterioration has led to a cycle of protests in the province throughout June. Residents of San Ricardo took to the streets on Monday after several consecutive days without electricity, and on June 11, residents of the José Martí District protested demanding power, food, and political changes.
In January, the Food Monitor Program had already reported that residents of Santiago were using contaminated water due to state inaction, and by May, five Cuban provinces, including Santiago de Cuba, were facing critical levels of food insecurity.
"By taking away our transportation, they've left us with our hands tied. We have no way to get around or to go out and seek daily sustenance for our families. People in the town are hungry, the situation has become unsustainable, and we need a solution NOW!" concluded Yulaidy Ge Martines in her post.
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