its development in the Eastern Caribbean, its slow translation speed and the metamorphosis leading to turn it into a hurricane. After passing through the Caribbean minor islands, we learned the ravages it left behind and we were convinced it was a hurricane to be reckoned with. Everything indicated that Cuba was on its road map. We waited for it in despair, since its speed was still low and its destructive potential steadily increased. Every Cuban, especially those in the east, paid attention to the meteorological bulletins. It became clear that Matthew would touch Cuban soil in the easternmost province, Guantánamo, which would be crossed by a great magnitude hurricane. Everything seemed adverse for us. Although the stage of hurricane alarm was decreed on October 3 rd, at 9 AM, the population in Guaso, for instance, perceived inertia among its leaders, became aware and began to manage the indispensable resources to face the incoming danger. Some tried to secure their precarious roofs and others went out looking for food. Although it used to be unsuccessful during the normal days, it was now a life or death issue. A few felled or pruned trees with the available tools, to protect their homes, while others managed to evacuate by themselves to the relatives ´ and friends ´ houses, because they knew that nothing else could be done. However, the national TV kept on broadcasting as if wouldn ´ t be important what was about to happen in Guantánamo. The province that would be directly affected by the hurricane was hardly mentioned; instead, the socalled Heroic City of Santiago constantly appeared in the news. Army General Raúl Castro gave precise instructions before, during and after the hurricane, but always referring to Santiago de Cuba. What about Guantanamo, people wondered. How was it possible that Raul Castro, being so close, did not mention our province at all? What kind of president is this? This may explain the behavior of local authorities. What happened to them? They were neither disturbed nor ready to deploy brigades for clearing up the sewer system— clogged for years— and cutting the trees that may fall and cause damages to electric grids and houses or, worse, personal injuries or even deaths. With respect to food, it goes without saying that, as a famous bolero says, " the little room looks the same as before." Only God knows the whys of things and Matthew deviated to bring misfortune to the residents in Maisí, Baracoa and the nearby villages. These people from Guantanamo Province, knowing what the authorities are( un) capable of, managed to shelter themselves. Maisí gave a convincing example. Its residents wisely took refuge in caves with or without food. In Baracoa, people were less fortunate and found shelter in the best neighboring houses. They were overcrowded and the narrow spaces forced many evacuees to remain standing during the entire storm. In Yateras, the authorities accommodated the evacuees in educational centers, many of them lacking of beds and even food, because the edible products were stored in the province capital and they were not distributed in advance, despite the repeated warnings by the Meteorological Institute. It was quite admirable to see thereafter how the mass media filled out spaces with news about subsidies given to lowincome families and the 50 % mark down in construction materials, along with the vicissitudes of the hurricane victims to acquire them, because not all is rosy. For letting the history to repeat itself, we will only need another hurricane with about the same path. Thus, it will destroy the battered houses that are being erected today on those already destroyed by Matthew, which in
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