This Saturday, a minibus traveling from Havana to Camagüey overturned on the National Highway, causing the death of musician José Luis Reyes Luis, 26, and leaving 14 other people injured.
The vehicle was transporting members of the group led by the artist Velito, The Jesterwhen he lost control and overturned after flipping several times in the morning, according to reports Cubadebate. At first it was reported that the occupants had minor injuries; However, hours later, the death of Reyes, the group’s trombonist, was confirmed as a result of the injuries suffered in the accident.
The official information He also indicated that the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The injured were treated in health centers in the province of Villa Clara, where they remain under medical observation.
Reyes traveled with his colleagues to fulfill artistic commitments, a common practice in a sector that depends almost entirely on road transportation to sustain its tours and presentations outside the capital.
Reyes traveled with his colleagues to fulfill artistic commitments, a common practice in the music sector.
The accident once again shows structural problems that directly affect road safety. Many interprovincial transfers are made in aging vehicles, with poor maintenance and without adequate conditions for long journeys. This Thursday there was another accident that left a balance of 12 injured in Las Tunasas reported Cybercuba.
Added to this is the deterioration of the road network: large stretches of the National Highway have potholes, insufficient signage and poor lighting, factors that increase the risk of accidents, especially on long trips and at times of low visibility.
The repetition of these facts shows the absence of an effective policy for the prevention and control of interprovincial transportation. The lack of systematic technical inspections, the shortage of spare parts and the extension of the useful life of vehicles that no longer meet minimum safety standards create a favorable scenario for avoidable tragedies. Meanwhile, public information on responsibilities and corrective measures remains limited.
Between January and August 2025, 502 deaths due to traffic accidents were recorded in Cuba. Although the final balance of the year has not yet been released, that figure already represented 80% of the total number of fatalities in 2024. To size the problem, a comparison is enough: in that same period, Spanish roads claimed 1,119 lives, just over double that of the island, despite the fact that Spain has a population six times larger.
The deterioration of the roads also contributes to this balance, making any distraction, recklessness or excessive speed fatal.
