Cuba’s Transport Minister Addresses Matanzas Train Derailment Crisis

Cuba’s Transportation Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila addresses a recent train derailment in Matanzas where five tankers derailed while transporting rum, causing significant infrastructure damage but fortunately no casualties. Emergency measures have been enacted, and an investigation is underway to determine the causes of the incident, amid growing concerns about the country’s railway safety issues.

Cuba’s Transportation Minister, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, has recently spoken out regarding the severe train derailment in Matanzas that has generated considerable disruption in the area. The incident took place at kilometer 80.500 of the Central Line, close to the Mocha station. The Tren Extra 924, tasked with carrying rum from the Meláneo Hernández distillery in Sancti Spíritus to a factory in Santa Cruz del Norte, derailed five of its tanker cars, with one overturning and igniting. This mishap has impacted about 100 meters of the railway track.

In a Facebook post, Minister Rodríguez Dávila expressed that this event signifies “something more than a railway accident.” Upon learning of the derailment while overseeing work in the Havana Bay tunnel, he rushed to the scene to evaluate the damage firsthand. Emergency protocols were promptly enacted to assist passengers affected by the incident, which included altering the schedule of train No. 15 on the Havana – Holguín route and temporarily halting the Guantánamo – Havana service.

An investigation is underway to ascertain the reasons behind the derailment. The Minister highlighted the silver lining that, thankfully, there were no reported human casualties. However, the string of railway accidents in recent months raises serious concerns. For instance, in April 2025, a national train derailed on the Holguín-Havana route in Las Tunas, miraculously without injuries.

In December 2024, two freight trains collided in Sancti Spíritus leading to an oil spill, attributed to breaches in railway operation regulations. Earlier, in September 2024, a passenger train derailment occurred in Matanzas, with another mishap involving the Manzanillo-Havana train occurring just a month before in Las Tunas.

The Matanzas derailment has renewed focus on the deteriorating state of Cuba’s railway infrastructure, an issue that not only jeopardizes the mobility of citizens but also complicates the transport of goods across the island. Criticism is mounting against the government due to perceived negligence in maintaining the railway system safely.

Common questions about the incident reveal that tangible measures are being deployed following the accident, as evidenced by the rescheduling of affected train services and the commencement of investigations to prevent future mishaps. In addition, the recurring accidents underscore the systemic issues within Cuba’s railway operations, including infrastructural decay and operational violations. This ongoing situation continues to evoke concern over both economic and environmental ramifications as Cuba grapples with the fallout from such events.

In summary, the recent train derailment in Matanzas highlights critical issues within Cuba’s railway system, raising questions about safety and infrastructure maintenance. While the immediate response has prioritized passenger safety and investigations, the pattern of accidents speaks to larger systemic problems that need urgent attention.

Original Source: en.cibercuba.com