On social media, a Cuban citizen showcased an enormous pile of trash taking over an entire corner in the Old Havana district. "The street belongs to the revolutionaries, revolution continues here. Thank you, #Fidel!" the user, identified as @YandyDPCuba, posted sarcastically on X.
The post specifies that the trash heap is located at the intersection of Campanario and Neptuno streets. In response, a user from Mayabeque also shared an image from her locality, adding, "San José de las Lajas, and it's the same on every corner."
Health Risks Escalate Amidst Rising Waste Crisis
Trash accumulation in residential areas promotes the spread of rats and mosquitoes, carriers of diseases such as dengue, Oropouche virus, and leptospirosis, which are prevalent in the island's environment.
The worsening hygiene crisis in Cuba, particularly acute in the capital, prompted leader Miguel Díaz-Canel to launch a comprehensive campaign against the unchecked buildup of garbage in Havana.
Government's Strategic Plan Faces Challenges
According to the state-run newspaper Granma, during a recent visit to the Diez de Octubre municipality, one of the hardest-hit areas, the Cuban president announced a strategic plan where "each ministry will sponsor a municipality" with the aim of stabilizing solid waste collection and improving sanitary conditions in the city.
With over 30,000 cubic meters of waste accumulating daily in Havana, tensions have risen across the city. However, the crisis extends beyond this province. In cities like Santiago de Cuba, residents have resorted to setting trash piles on fire as a form of protest.