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Less than three years after its grand reopening, the Cienfuegos railway station has closed again, this time due to the risk of collapse.
The news, confirmed by the official outlet Cinco de Septiembre, caused outrage among the residents of Cienfuegos, who see this incident as yet another proof of the inefficiency in resource management and the fragility of public works on the island.
“As if its existence were tied to a time loop marked only by imperfections, the Cienfuegos railway station comes back into the spotlight, and indeed, once again in a very unfavorable light,” indicated the Cienfuegos newspaper on Facebook.
A sign reading "No entry, possible collapse" affixed to the façade of the building is, according to the official media, "a shocking reminder for those who witnessed how, on that first of November 2021, the doors of the building were opened with applause and smiles, with its restoration included among the projects for the city's bicentennial."
The train station, of great heritage value and constructed in 1913, had undergone a major renovation that cost more than 5.3 million pesos.
According to Cinco de Septiembre, the renovation included the replacement of the tile roof, carpentry, floors, platforms, and ticket booths, along with the refurbishment of the restrooms and the installation of new metal benches in the waiting area.
However, less than three years later, it seems that the structure has serious flaws that have forced its closure. On social media, many are wondering how it is possible that such a recent restoration did not ensure the structural safety of the building.
"We knew it. They did it for the photo, for the reopening with applause. Afterwards, it was the same as always," commented a resident of the city.
In November 2021, the reopening of the terminal was celebrated with the presence of the highest provincial authorities, including the first secretary of the Party in Cienfuegos, Marydé Fernández López -removed in February 2024 without the reasons being made public-, and the governor Alexandre Corona Quintero, who resigned from his position two months later due to "errors made".
At that time, officials emphasized the importance of maintaining the facility and the need to provide quality rail service. Today, irony strikes with reality: the terminal that was supposed to endure barely lasted a few years.
This case is not isolated in Cuba. The recurring lack of durability in public works calls into question the quality of the renovations carried out in the country.
The Central Train Station in Havana, reopened in July 2022 after an expensive restoration, shows a dangerous deterioration in its metal structures, with advanced corrosion threatening its stability.
In Ciego de Ávila, a roundabout built to commemorate the 64th anniversary of the Revolution required multiple repairs in less than a year due to structural defects.
The Havana Bay Tunnel, despite multiple repair works, soon shows leaks that impact its operability and safety.
These examples reflect a worrying trend in the management of public works in Cuba, where investments in renovations do not always result in lasting improvements.
The recurrence of structural failures and the need for constant repairs suggest deficiencies in the planning, execution, and maintenance of these projects, affecting the quality of life of citizens and the efficiency of public services.
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