Recovery Expands, but Much Remains to Return Eastern Cuba to Normalcy

The Expanded National Defense Council continued on Monday its systematic monitoring of the recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa in Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín. While progress has been made in restoring electricity, water supply, telecommunications, and other essential services, much work remains before residents can fully return to their daily routines.

The session, held via videoconference with authorities from the affected territories, was led by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who also presides over the National Defense Council. The meeting was moderated by Politburo member and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz.

Electricity Restoration

Restoring electricity in the eastern region was a major topic. Minister of Energy and Mines Vicente de la O Levy reported that service coverage is at 99.95% in Las Tunas, 96.45% in Guantánamo, 79.76% in Holguín, and 73.44% in Granma.

In Santiago de Cuba, service restoration remains low at 29.23%, due to extensive damage to distribution lines and the complexity of repairs. Consequently, the largest efforts are concentrated in this province.

“In the coming hours, all substations in the province should be energized by the National Electric System (SEN), allowing a significant improvement in service,” explained the minister.

Santiago de Cuba, home to 187,000 customers, is a top priority for electric utility workers. Fallen trees caused extensive damage to poles, power lines, and other infrastructure. According to de la O Levy, “100% of customers in the Hero City should have electricity this week.” Other municipalities face complex challenges, but the energization of substations will restore at least partial service starting Tuesday.

Currently, 3,746 workers are repairing power lines in the eastern region, with additional teams mobilized to Santiago de Cuba. In the municipality of Guamá, a distributed generation motor has already been installed and is operational.

Repairs continue on the Báguanos-Bayamo distribution line, where six high-voltage towers were toppled by the hurricane. Difficult access due to Melissa’s destruction requires specialized equipment, including military support.

In Holguín, few customers are expected to remain without service by early next week. In Granma, all seven flooded substations have been restored, and Río Cauto substation is being prepared, projecting a 6% increase in service in the coming hours. In Guantánamo, challenges remain in mountainous and isolated areas.

Water Supply and Other Services

Regarding water supply, the President of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, reported that Las Tunas has fully restored infrastructure.

Service coverage is 83% in Holguín, 96% in Guantánamo, 55% in Granma, and 57% in Santiago de Cuba—45% through networks and the remainder via water trucks. Work is underway in Holguín to repair and build pipelines, including a new 9.5 km line, along with equipment upgrades to improve supply across the affected regions.

In Santiago de Cuba, improvements to the Quintero 1 and 2 systems will increase water flow by over 1,500 liters per second—surpassing pre-hurricane levels.

Food Security and Agricultural Recovery

In the meeting, subgroups of the Economic-Social Body also reported progress. Betsy Díaz Velázquez, Minister of Domestic Trade, highlighted the provision of rice and other staple foods for residents in the hardest-hit provinces.

Additionally, 21 tractors and other equipment have been sent to support agricultural recovery in Santiago de Cuba, along with chainsaw attachments to clear fallen trees. Approximately 13,000 hectares of crops, including plantains, cassava, and coffee, have been restored in the affected areas.

Authorities from the provincial defense councils of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín also reported on the work of groups responsible for transport, industry, health, education, and international cooperation. Tens of thousands of roofing materials—such as asbestos-cement tiles and zinc sheets—along with other construction supplies, are being distributed.

Civil Defense Update: Hurricane Melissa

According to Informative Note No. 8 from the National Civil Defense Staff, effective 5:00 p.m. on November 10, the Recovery Phase was established for the municipalities of Río Cauto and Cauto Cristo in Granma, and normalcy was declared in Las Tunas; the Granma municipalities of Pilón, Niquero, Media Luna, and Campechuela; the Guantánamo municipalities of Maisí, Baracoa, and Imías; and Calixto García in Holguín.

Other affected municipalities will continue under the Recovery Phase, directed by their respective Defense Councils.

The efforts of local authorities, media, and the population were acknowledged for the discipline and solidarity demonstrated during both the preparedness and response phases of this event.

National Civil Defense Staff