Guanabo doesn’t seem to be part of the island. The ancient tropical paradise is only reborn during the summer to quench the thirst of sea of Cubans. The rest of the year the Eastern Beaches look like a desert. Guanabo is muted. It is never on the news.
These days an event made these lands resurrect from silence. Some national and international news outlets brought to light the oil spill occurred in one of its old wells. After the novelty, OnCuba arrived at the scene.
The people crowded into the area, waiting for what happened. Some, unaware that domestic oil production meets between 40 and 50 percent of domestic oil consumption and that the country has to import annually over six million tons of crude oil and derivatives at a cost that, being subject to the price volatility in the global market, tends to grow, saw in the fact the possibility of converting the place in what was once: the old and exploitable Guanabo-Brisas oilfield, possessing a high density, highly profitable oil with a high percent of asphalt and resins.
The reality of the Guanabo people was another, a chimera: In 1968 the well that became news recently was closed because it was not to exploitable, like most, if not all, of the Eastern Beaches. This June, the emanation of the hydrocarbon was a fact. Cubapetróleo Specialists (CUPET) considered the sudden emergence of oil to the surface as residues of what once was a productive oilfield. The actions taken today are intended to seal the well’s mouth, which offers no danger to people.
The site remains under siege. Perimeter bands and no trespassing signs surround the intersection of 500 street and 5th Avenue. A few pieces evidence the works carried out. The workers from their positions remain silent in the presence of this journalist, originally from the town as well. Neighbors, however, offer details from past experiences. There is still hope, the joy of this news was only controlled danger.
This time the town received the momentary alarm. The hope of rebirth of oil was in the hands of a useless well. The town returned to its daily routine, and not even the possible exploitation of oil attracts the attention of its inhabitants.
Perhaps again this summer Guanabo becomes the news. Possibly we will write of what remains of its beaches, remembrance of golden ages which are now forgotten.
Authors
Alejandro Ruiz Chang,
Alejandro Ruiz
