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Mar 10, 2025

Water pump installed in Río Cauto after citizen protests: "A joint effort"

After the protests in Río Cauto, the Cuban government is installing a turbine to restore the water supply in an effort to calm the residents following civic demonstrations. By CiberCuba Editorial Team

After the protests in Río Cauto, the Cuban government is installing a turbine to restore the water supply in an effort to calm the residents following civic demonstrations.

By CiberCuba Editorial Team

Sunday, March 9, 2025 - 7:02 PM

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The Cuban regime stated that it has installed this Sunday a turbine to pump water to several settlements in Río Cauto, Granma, where protests occurred on Friday demanding the release of a mother of three detained after reporting extreme shortages and hunger in her community.

A brief note published on the Facebook profile of the Río Cauto Municipal Government described it as a "joint effort" occurring after several days of interruptions in the supply of this vital liquid.

The regime's communication emphasizes that workers have been engaged in "over a week of hard work" to install the turbine following a breakdown that has affected more than 14,000 residents in Cayamas, Río, and Batey.

The installation and equipment are the responsibility of UEB Acueducto, Ferro Azúcar, the Grito de Yara Sugar Company, and the Mipyme Morequín, which specializes in plumbing.

The previously mentioned actors "managed" to restore water pumping in just over a week, speeding up the efforts after protests erupted in the municipal seat this Friday. Authorities assure that pumping will resume this Sunday.

"Without this joint effort, the startup of the turbine would have been delayed by three months," the regime argued, praising that despite the electrical disruptions and the scarcity of resources, "the team is working at an impressive pace."

After a massive mobilization on Friday by residents in Río Cauto demanding the release of Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez, who was detained after reporting extreme shortages and hunger in her community, the regime has resorted to various strategies to try to calm the spirits of the residents.

This Saturday, the Granma government organized a small agricultural fair in that municipality to sell bananas, rice, peas, corn flour, and a few other products.

These actions aim to convey an image of normalcy while the populace is being blackmailed with some of the shortages that affect Cubans the most: food and water supply.

On the night of this Friday, following the citizens' demonstration, the government displayed images of empty streets in Río Cauto and stated: "Let us remember that peace and tranquility are a reflection of our strength as a people."

That day, the protesters, mostly local residents, chanted slogans like "Freedom for Mayelín" and displayed signs in her support, while other residents banged their pots.

The 47-year-old woman had publicly denounced the shortage of basic foods such as milk and eggs, as well as the lack of essential resources for cooking. She also referred to the crisis facing the island.

The arrest of the Cuban mother occurred on Thursday. The government of Río Cauto, in a statement on social media, attacked her and attempted to discredit her by claiming that they offered Carrasco several solutions to her situation, including a "temporary" housing made of "board and zinc."

The protests in Río Cauto took place due to the arrest of Mayelín Carrasco Álvarez, a mother of three, who was detained after reporting the extreme shortage of food and hunger in her community. The protesters demanded her release and better living conditions.

In response to the protests, the Cuban government installed a turbine to restore the water supply, organized an agricultural fair to sell basic food items, and circulated images of empty streets to project a sense of normalcy. These actions are seen as attempts to quell social discontent.

Mayelín Carrasco reported the shortage of basic food items such as milk and eggs, as well as the lack of resources for cooking. She also criticized the economic crisis in Cuba, stating that "everything has collapsed."

The government attempted to discredit Mayelín Carrasco by claiming that she was offered solutions to her problems, such as temporary housing and job opportunities, which she supposedly rejected. However, these solutions were deemed insufficient by the community.

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A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.