Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
"On the night of September 21, 1989, the Party leadership in Camagüey received news that the next day, Fidel Castro would travel to Cayo Cruz. This information was etched in the memory of Manuel Chaos Piedra, a former member of the Provincial Party Bureau, who reflected on the impact that visit would have on the future of international tourism in the region. 'As if I were a seer,' Chaos commented while recalling that historic moment that would mark the tourism development of the area.
The morning of September 22 began with the arrival of provincial authorities, led by Lázaro Vázquez García, who traveled by helicopter to a spot near the modest home of Suncia and Manolo, the only residents of the area, known for their work in Flora and Fauna. A plan showing possible variations in the embankment layout was presented in the living room of their home, marking the beginning of an ambitious initiative that would transform Playa Jigüey, near the Brasil sugar mill, into a promising tourist destination.
As the centennial of Fidel's birth approaches, which will be celebrated on August 13, 2026, it is important to remember his ingenuity. With a knack for calculations, Fidel could solve mathematical problems quickly, without the need for mechanical tools. That same night, at the Tayabito Motel, located on the outskirts of Camagüey, he performed the necessary calculations to determine the volumes of fuel required for the project, concluding that the road that began at Playa Jigüey was the most viable and economical option.
The mission of developing the area could not be assumed by a single institution; thus, various companies and organizations joined forces to carry out the ambitious project. On his way to Suncia and Manolo's house, Fidel stopped at a spot known as El Pino, in Punta Cocina, where he enjoyed a swim before continuing his visit. Those who accompanied him will remember that he arrived at the house not dressed in his usual olive-green uniform, but in his bathing suit, his beard still wet from the sea. As a passionate diver, he never forgot to bring the necessary equipment to explore the underwater wonders.
Fidel's strategic vision, although conceived in 1973, surprised many who considered the project of developing hotels and bungalows in the area unattainable. A causeway that would cross the sea for 43 kilometers from Playa Jigüey to Cayo Cruz would be built by the Camilo Cienfuegos contingent. Without a doubt, Fidel's dreams endure, with future visits to other keys in this beautiful region, which are connected by a road with Cayo Coco. (Enrique Atiénzar Rivero/Radio Cadena Agramonte Contributor) (Photo: Otilio Rivero Delgado/Adelante Digital)
