A Cuban who worked for nearly four years in the Protected Area of Managed Resources Sierra del Chorrillo, known as La Belén, in the municipality of Najasa, Camagüey, published a complaint on Facebook with photos documenting the state of neglect and decay in which this natural space, managed by the Flora and Fauna Business Group under the direction of the Commander of the Revolution Guillermo García Frías, currently finds itself.
Inalkis Rodríguez Lora, who carried out conservation projects for flora and fauna in the area, described the Sierra del Chorrillo as "one of the large estates of the old man Guillermo García Frías, 324 caballerías enclosed by a perimeter fence of over two meters high that protected, many years ago, the variety of exotic animals that this gentleman had on his estate, a true landowner."
The images accompanying the post show a general state of neglect.
One of the most striking photos is of a horse in critical condition: prominent ribs and hip due to malnutrition, with its body covered in crusts, lesions, and areas of hair loss indicating a dermatological disease without veterinary care.
Another image shows the pool that was part of the facilities of the old ecohotel: the water is murky and greenish due to the accumulation of algae, and a large tree lies fallen inside the pool, its branches submerged.
An old fairground structure can also be seen, of which only a few wooden beams remain on the roof, and where invasive vegetation now grows among the stones on the ground.
"This changed, and as expected, it did so for the worse, and really for the worse; nature does not choose its owners, and that's why the destruction pains me so much," wrote Rodríguez Lora.
As specified in the comments section, practically no one works there anymore. "It's a ruin. The owner (García Frías) is very old, he's been around for many years and has many estates in Cuba," he emphasized.
"I feel a mix of sorrow and nostalgia," said the complainant, who insists that her wish is for someone to take an interest in the site and restore the value it still holds. She concluded the post with a clarification: "These are just a few pictures of the disaster, but unfortunately, there is much more, much more."
The Sierra del Chorrillo spans more than 4,000 hectares and has been one of the most prominent ecotourism and hunting tourism destinations in Cuba for decades. Its facilities included guided trails, horseback riding, and birdwatching for rare species such as the Cuban parrot and the Antillean palm-siskin.
The origin of the place as a reserve for exotic wildlife dates back to World War II, when a Peruvian architect introduced zebras, deer, antelopes, bulls, and horses to the area, turning it into a hunting ground frequented by foreign tourists. After 1959, the space came under state control, managed by the Flora and Fauna Business Group, an entity linked to the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
García Frías, 98 years old, has led this entity since 1993 and is responsible for the management of over 80 protected areas in Cuba. In February, a herd of about 11 zebras was spotted grazing freely in the Hacienda Belén area, evidence that exotic animals survive but without the care they need.
The family of the Commander has been pointed out on multiple occasions for their privileges: his grandson Jorge Alejandro de Cárdenas García was reported traveling to Colombia to buy thoroughbred horses and vacationing in Europe and Cancun, while the area controlled by García Frías is sinking into neglect.
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