The First Secretary of the Party's Central Committee and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez personally thanked Venezuelan and Mexican professionals who arrived in our country to support firefighting efforts at the Matanzas Supertanker Depot. They moved immediately to offer their solidarity with the Cuban people, following a difficult period overnight and facing a decisive day today in this battle for life, according to the Cuban Presidency.
Four flights with supplies, equipment and personnel from Mexico and one from Venezuela, were the first to arrive on Saturday at the Juan Gualberto Gómez airport.
The first was a Boeing 737-700 from the Mexican Air Force, which was later joined by another plane, to reinforce the battle against the fire.
The Boeing 737-700 transported 82 Mexican specialists, including 60 military personnel and 16 technical experts from Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), who traveled at the request of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The second aircraft brought equipment and chemical products.
Brigadier General Juan Bravo Velázquez was in charge of the operation and said upon arrival: "We are here to help in risk prevention and to put out the fire with water and foam."
Early Sunday morning, Conviasa flight 340-642 arrived from Venezuela carrying 35 firefighters, specialists and technicians from Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (Pdvsa).
They are "some of the men best trained in dealing with this type of accident," Venezuela's Minister of People's Power for Petroleum, Tareck El Aissami tweeted.
In addition to the firefighters specialized in highly complex operations, 20 tons of foam and chemical powders were also on board the plane.
Granma's correspondent in Caracas, José Llamos Camejo, reports that a second plane is being prepared to fly to Cuba with eight additional firefighters, plus ten tons of foam, chemical powder and equipment to battle the flames. With these reinforcements, a total of 43 Venezuelans will collaborate in extinguishing the fire.
