Díaz-Canel Leads Meeting on Recovery Efforts in Eastern Cuba

Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, President of the National Defense Council, headed a meeting of that body at the Palace of the Revolution this Monday to evaluate recovery actions in the eastern region of the country, which was affected by Hurricane Melissa three weeks ago.

According to sources from the Presidency, Manuel Marrero Cruz, Prime Minister, led the session, which was also attended by Salvador Valdés Mesa, Vice President of the National Defense Council, along with other members of the Political Bureau.

Progress in Restoring Basic Services

Electricity: Argelio Abad Vigoa, First Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, reported that power service restoration reached 84.8 percent in the eastern zone. The provincial breakdown is as follows: Holguín at 93.12 percent, Granma at 96.19 percent, Santiago de Cuba at 60 percent, Guantánamo at 99 percent, and Las Tunas at 100 percent. All municipal capitals now have electricity.

Water Supply: Bladimir Matos Moya, First Vice President of the National Institute of Water Resources, informed that water supply has been almost fully restored in Holguín, though issues persist in Urbano Noris and Mayarí. In Granma, recent rains delayed the installation of equipment necessary for supply.

In Santiago de Cuba, the water infrastructure is at an average of 88 percent functionality, with more significant impacts in Contramaestre due to the instability of the electrical service.

Transportation and Communications

Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Minister of Transport, explained that crews have begun certifying the central highway to Santiago de Cuba. This week, they will inspect the Jobabo-Guamo-Bayamo stretch, considered the most damaged, with the goal of accelerating the reestablishment of land communication to Granma.

According to official data, fixed telephone service has been restored to 83.2 percent and mobile service to 88 percent in the affected provinces.

Ongoing Recovery and Monitoring

Authorities from Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín outlined the situation regarding damaged homes and economic objectives, as well as the measures underway to advance the recovery phase.

The National Defense Council agreed to maintain systematic follow-up on basic services and road infrastructure, with the purpose of accelerating the normalization of economic and social life in eastern Cuba.