A Cuban woman living in the United States recently shared a video on social media showcasing her journey through Ciego de Ávila after coming back to the island following a seven-year absence. Though she took the trip last November, she only now posted the footage, voicing her profound disappointment over the decline she witnessed.
As she rides her bicycle through the province, she narrates her shock and discontent: "Folks, it's so depressing! It's like living in a third world country, everything is falling apart. Look at those houses, that road, oh my God."
She is particularly struck by the trash piling up on the streets and the poor condition of the roads: "Everything is overgrown, weeds everywhere, it's a massive mess they have. The streets are littered with garbage, it's just terrible, terrible, terrible."
The lack of street lighting is another aspect she criticizes: "At night, there's complete darkness, no light anywhere except for the homes with generators."
The roads' deterioration is highlighted as well: "Look at those pothole-ridden streets, they're unbearable. My God, look at that brush, the red soil, it's obviously out in the countryside."
Her disappointment is so intense that she vows not to return anytime soon: "I hadn't been to Cuba in seven years, and believe me, now it'll be another seven before I return."
The Persistent Garbage Crisis in Cuba
The images shared by the woman on her TikTok profile, @rosagarcialanda, depict a reality frequently reported. Recently, official media in Sancti Spíritus highlighted an ad hoc landfill in the city, where "community hygiene is nowhere to be found."
On Carlos Roloff Street, near a secondary school, waste has overtaken the public road, attributed to delays in garbage collection and a lack of resources from communal services. According to Escambray, this makeshift dump "has reached adulthood," referring to the years it has gone unresolved.
This is compounded by the increasing number of people scavenging for food or reusable materials in the dumps. Dr. Francisco Durán García, the national director of Epidemiology at MINSAP, recently acknowledged the rise in "divers," but avoided delving into the causes, merely labeling the situation a "social indiscipline."
An Unresolved Problem
The garbage issue in Cuba is far from new. The shortage of collection trucks, lack of fuel, and collapsing landfills have turned the streets of various cities, including Ciego de Ávila, into makeshift dumping grounds.
Authorities have attempted to tackle the crisis with partial measures, yet the results remain inadequate. Meanwhile, citizens continue to grapple with waste accumulation, pest infestations, and public health impacts.
The woman's words in her video encapsulate the sentiment of many who have witnessed the island's ongoing decline:
FAQs About Cuba's Waste Management Crisis
What are the main causes of the garbage crisis in Cuba?
The primary causes of the garbage crisis in Cuba include a shortage of collection trucks, lack of fuel, and the collapse of landfills, leading to makeshift dumps in urban areas.
How are Cuban authorities addressing the waste problem?
Authorities have implemented partial measures to address the waste problem, but results have been insufficient, leaving citizens to deal with the consequences.
What impact does the garbage issue have on public health in Cuba?
The garbage issue contributes to pest infestations and poses significant public health risks, affecting the overall wellbeing of Cuban communities.