Cuba offers aid after supermarket fire

President Fidel Castro has sent a message of condolence and 
solidarity to the Paraguayan people, especially to the families 
of victims of the August 1 fire that broke out in the Ycua 
Bolaqos supermarket in Asuncisn.

In a letter to President Nicanor Duarte, Fidel expressed 
confidence that the Paraguayan people can count on the support of 
Cuban doctors currently providing services in various parts of 
that South American country.

He also stated that the island is prepared to dispatch, with 
utmost urgency if necessary, a group of experts with the 
necessary medications to support the forces deployed to care for 
the wounded, and in the struggle to save lives, Radio Habana Cuba 
reported.

Meanwhile, it was learned that Cuban doctors working in the 
interior of Paraguay quickly contacted the Cuban medical mission 
and embassy in Asuncisn to make themselves available to the 
Paraguayan health authorities, and they are now caring for people 
wounded in the Asuncisn disaster.

The Cuban medical brigade has also offered blood donations to 
help survivors of the tragic event, which has deeply affected the 
Paraguayan people and sent many into mourning.

The Paraguayan Attorney General has charged the supermarket 
owner, Juan Pio Paiva, his son and five security guards with 
premeditated murder. Many survivors of the tragedy affirm that 
when the fire broke out, the guards locked the doors to prevent 
possible robbery.

One of the guards admitted that he received an order from the 
owner to close the doors so that shoppers would not leave without 
paying, even though the store was already in flames.