The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel was on an official visit to Caimanera and was impressed by a project he considered a significant achievement of the government and an indicator of "quality of life" in Guantánamo.
"We can overcome this situation by working together, and we see it here. Look! A year ago, this did not exist. At a time when we have the fewest resources, we created a maternal lounge. A municipality like this has zero infant mortality and zero maternal mortality. That is quality of life! Those results uplift us," he said.
It refers to a small room that has been set up in the Policlínico de Caimanera "Ramón López Peña" to care for pregnant women who require daily medical monitoring. The room can only accommodate six women at a time, prioritizing cases of underweight pregnant women, those with anemia, and other health issues.
The maternity ward was inaugurated on January 6th. The healthcare system had to prioritize this investment because previously, expectant mothers had to be admitted in the main municipality, but there is no transportation for them to travel so far from their families.
The central and eastern regions of Cuba are among the most affected by power outages every day. The electricity service interruptions last for more than 20 hours. Guantánamo is one of the least developed provinces in the country, yet Díaz-Canel believes that the advancements are notable and that there is a quality of life.
The leader visited other municipalities in Guantánamo such as San Antonio del Sur and Imías. There, he also expressed pride in more "revolutionary achievements" such as the creation of a community of wooden houses for the victims of Hurricane Oscar.
The developing settlement is called "El Aeropuerto" and has the capacity for 922 housing units. Since the hurricane in October 2024 until March 2025, only 18 families have been relocated to the area. There are another 40 houses under construction, but nothing else is mentioned in the official reports.
In San Antonio del Sur, he also visited the Los Ciguatos photovoltaic solar park, which has been operational since 2019. Its daily contribution to the National Electroenergetic System is 4 megawatts. It is likely another impressive achievement of the government, in Díaz-Canel's view.
Frequently asked questions about Díaz-Canel's visit to Caimanera and the "state achievements" in Guantánamo
What were the highlights mentioned by Díaz-Canel during his visit to Caimanera?
Díaz-Canel highlighted the establishment of a maternity room in Caimanera as an achievement of the government and a sign of "quality of life." This room in the "Ramón López Peña" Polyclinic provides daily medical care for pregnant women and is a priority for those with health issues.
What problems are faced by the victims of Hurricane Oscar in Guantánamo?
The victims of Hurricane Oscar in Guantánamo are facing a severe housing crisis. Despite the construction of new homes in the "El Aeropuerto" community, many families still live in precarious conditions, without access to basic services such as drinking water.
What criticisms has Díaz-Canel received during his tenure following Hurricane Oscar?
Díaz-Canel has faced criticism for the lack of effective responses and the slow recovery following Hurricane Oscar. The population has expressed their discontent over the scarcity of drinking water and food, as well as the inefficiency in housing reconstruction.
How has the reconstruction in Guantánamo been managed after Hurricane Oscar?
The reconstruction in Guantánamo has been slow and ineffective. Although housing projects have been initiated, only a few families have been relocated. The lack of transportation and resources has hindered progress, creating frustration among the affected individuals.
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