A resident of Holguín has taken to social media to share videos showcasing a stark contrast in the condition of the city's roads, depending on their proximity to key government sites. The footage reveals smooth, well-maintained asphalt in front of the Provincial Government headquarters, while roads leading to the main hospital are marred by deep, impassable potholes.
In one of the initial videos, the creator travels along the road in front of Holguín's Provincial Government building, remarking on its flawless state: “This road is like a plate. There isn’t a single pothole or open manhole to endanger anyone.”
In contrast, the video then shifts to the Valle Road and Real Street, which connects 90% of the city to the Lucía Iñíguez Landín Clinical Surgical Hospital, a key provincial facility. The difference is stark.
“You can barely ride a bicycle here,” the creator comments as the camera captures a series of deep craters stretching from the Villanueva bridge to the Pueblo Nuevo plaza.
The resident notes that this crucial road has gone “fifteen to twenty years” without resurfacing, despite daily traffic from ambulances, postoperative patients, and those seeking medical care.
“Patients, even those who have had surgery, must navigate this route,” the video emphasizes, documenting pothole after pothole on a road vital for Holguín’s population accessing their only provincial hospital.
The video also contrasts the road leading to the Mirador, which provides access to the Provincial Patrol Unit, similarly in good condition, devoid of any potholes.
Choosing to let viewers draw their own conclusions, the creator avoids overt criticism, a common strategy among Cubans reporting on social media to mitigate repercussions: “Look, I’m not going to say anything negative; you can compare and decide for yourself the level of priority here in Holguín.”
Ironically, the video ends with the province’s official slogan: “We are Holguín; we aim for more. It took a while, but the reality is clear.”
This is not an isolated complaint. The Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, acknowledged before the National Assembly in July 2024 that the road recovery program had faltered: only 22.3% of planned road repairs were completed in the first half of that year, with 12 out of 25 asphalt plants inoperative due to breakdowns.
The minister conceded that road maintenance “is hardly ever the top priority” for local Cuban governments, a point vividly illustrated by the Holguín videos.
Meanwhile, the regime has allocated resources to repair roads leading to tourist areas, such as those to Marea del Portillo in Granma and the causeway to Cayo Santa María in Villa Clara, highlighting a policy that prioritizes tourism and government locations over the daily needs of the population.
In Holguín, the history of road deterioration is extensive: a truck fell into a massive hole in Banes in July 2024, and complaints about the province’s poor road conditions date back to at least 2020.
Nationally, official data from June 2025 indicates that 75% of Cuban roads are in fair or poor condition, with 2,377 traffic accidents recorded in the first four months of that year. The rising number of fatalities is directly linked to the worsening condition of the roads.
Key Issues Surrounding Holguín's Road Conditions
What contrasting road conditions are highlighted in Holguín?
The video highlights well-maintained roads near government buildings, while roads leading to the main hospital are in severe disrepair with numerous potholes.
Why is the road condition significant for Holguín residents?
The deteriorated roads hinder access to critical healthcare facilities, affecting daily commutes for ambulances, patients, and the general public.
How has the Cuban government prioritized road repairs?
The government has focused on repairing roads leading to tourist attractions and government sites, often neglecting roads essential for everyday needs.