Earthquakes are frequent in the east of the country, but are always of low intensity, between three and four on the Richter scale. This tremor is one of the strongest recorded in this area of the island.
Cuba is going through a dark streak. Barely recovered from Cyclone Rafael, whose traces are still visible in Havana and which destroyed nearly 500 already weakened houses in the capital, the east of the island was hit on Sunday by a strong earthquake of 6, 8 on the Richter scale, according to initial information.
The epicenter would be between Cuba and Jamaica. The earthquake occurred in the province of Las Tunas, a deprived region of the largest island in the Caribbean. In addition to the first earthquake measuring 6.8, there was at least one aftershock measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale.
According to testimonies from Cubans living in areas near Santiago, the country's second largest city, many homes have collapsed and the walls of many others are weakened. In the east of the island, unlike Havana, many homes are still built of wood. The residents therefore rushed into the street, where they would sleep tonight.
New disaster for the island
Earthquakes are frequent in eastern Cuba, particularly in Santiago, but they are always of low intensity, between three and four on the Richter scale. In the streets of Santiago, many signs warn residents about the measures to take in the event of an earthquake. If the Cuban civil protection services are historically very efficient and accustomed to managing cyclones as best as possible and to preventively evacuating populations, the earthquake of November 10 is a new disaster for the island.
After Hurricane Oscar which hit the Guantánamo region (near Santiago) in October, causing significant material damage, seven deaths and flooding, the country suffered a series of hard blows. Cuba's electricity system collapsed for a week in mid-October and Havana was hit hard by Hurricane Rafael last Thursday. Electricity, mobile phone networks and the Internet are far from being restored.
But for Cubans, the real hurricane is coming. His name is Donald Trump. After the 240 measures taken against the island during his first term, the president-elect promised to particularly increase sanctions against the Cuban regime and people.
