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FROM
CUBA
Water Crisis
Rafael Ferro Salas, Abdala Press
PINAR DEL RÍO, Cuba - September
(www.cubanet.org) - The shortage of drinking
water has become universal in the city of
Pinar del Río. There is a non-stop
coming and going of people, carrying buckets
and all kinds of containers, who head to
the few places where there are water taps.
There they stand in long lines, waiting
for their turn to fill their pots.
The authorities in the province do not
give any kind of explanation to the residents.
There are homes that haven't had running
water for months.
Amid the crisis, unscrupulous persons have
appeared who line their pockets by taking
advantage of the most needy. Vendors of
the essential liquid have appeared all over
the city. The elderly and handicapped persons
have been forced to pay for the services
of these "merchants" to carry
their water.
In the past days I visited one of those
places where people fill their buckets.
A 60-year old man waited his turn. He sweated
copiously under the midday sun. Without
any fear he told those who were present:
"We're going to suffer like this all
our lives. No one cares what we're going
through. Those who rule have water in their
houses. I haven't seen any of them in these
lines."
No one answered. It was the turn of a man
who carried two buckets to fill up at the
tap. He finished and left the place. A woman
waiting behind him approached the tap and
placed one of her pails to be filled. She
looked at those in line and said:
"What he says is true. But who puts
the bell on the cat? Not even the government
press dares to ask what's happening with
the water. It's as if no one cared about
us."
The woman also filled up her pots. She
carried some plastic bottles inside a bucket.
She filled them one by one and then finished
with the bucket. She went away slowly, making
a great effort.
Afterwards came the turn of a woman of
advanced age. I saw a man of some thirty
years who approached her and spoke in a
low voice. I could hear the elderly woman's
response.
"If I pay the price you ask for carrying
the water, I'd be unable to eat, man. I
prefer to carry it myself and risk falling."
The man looked alarmed at those in line.
He felt unmasked, and left the silent place.
The old lady also left. The line continued
its normal rhythm. Everyone filled their
pots and everyone made their personal commentary.
What's sure is that the constant coming
and going and carrying of buckets and receptacles
for storing water goes on.
It's also true that the authorities go
on not giving an explanation for this crisis.
Nor has the press interviewed any officials.
It's to be assumed they haven't given their
authorization for it.
Versión
original en español
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