Following a social media outcry by official journalist Yirmara Torres Hernández, concerning the mounting trash near the Eliseo Noel Caamaño Provincial Pediatric Hospital in Matanzas, authorities dispatched trucks to clear the waste. Torres herself documented the cleanup in a follow-up video on Facebook, confirming the removal of major dumpsites, yet cautioning that the underlying issue remains unresolved.
Days before, Torres had highlighted the presence of a massive dumpsite at the intersection of Santa Isabel and San Carlos, merely a block away from the pediatric hospital. She also pointed to another trash hotspot at San Carlos and Salamanca, precisely along the path used by ambulances accessing the hospital and children leaving after discharge.
After her public denunciation, a truck initially collected the piled-up garbage at Santa Isabel and San Carlos. However, the operation couldn't be completed on the same day as the vehicle reached full capacity and lacked sufficient fuel to continue. The following day, authorities removed the waste from San Carlos and Salamanca, a process Torres recorded and shared on social media.
Local Community Concerns and Ongoing Challenges
“They mentioned enormous rats, and it was horrifying, but at least it's clean now. Let's see how long it lasts,” Torres remarked, recounting what local residents told her during the cleanup.
Despite the cleaning of these critical areas, the solution remains partial. Torres noted that small dumpsites persist on Salamanca Street and another hotspot near the José Antonio Echeverría Primary School, a disused structure at risk of collapse. “The stench is unbearable,” she stated.
The reporter directly addressed the root of the problem: the shortage of fuel necessary to sustain the trash collection service. “They don’t have enough fuel to clear more dumpsites,” she explained.
Systemic Failures in Waste Management
The waste crisis in Matanzas highlights the declining state of the communal system in the province. By May 2026, the Municipal Communal Company was operating with only 11 active trucks out of a total of 24 or 25. Moreover, the daily diesel allocation fluctuated between 300 and 550 liters, far below the 112 liters per vehicle necessary for completing two daily routes.
Michel León Rodríguez, the municipal mayor, recently acknowledged on TV Yumurí’s “Con Voz de Pueblo” program, the shortages of personnel and equipment to tackle the crisis. However, he attributed the situation to the U.S. embargo, sidestepping any acknowledgment of the regime's role in the collapse of basic services.
Health Concerns and Institutional Struggles
The Eliseo Noel Caamaño Provincial Pediatric Hospital has been grappling with a critical situation for months. In October 2025, the facility operated at full capacity with all 75 beds occupied due to simultaneous outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya, and oropouche. Months later, in February 2026, a video circulated on social media revealed dirty bathrooms, deteriorated floors, and broken furniture within the institution.
In addition, in April 2026, health authorities issued a provincial alert for hepatitis A in Matanzas, directly linked to the garbage accumulation and poor hygienic conditions.
Torres, who has previously faced attacks and discredit campaigns from official sectors for exposing social issues in the province, emphasized that the solution cannot rely solely on the availability of fuel. “Trash and water should be the priority today because our lives depend on it,” she concluded.
Addressing Waste Management and Health Risks in Matanzas
What prompted the cleanup near the pediatric hospital in Matanzas?
The cleanup was prompted by a social media post from journalist Yirmara Torres Hernández, who highlighted the accumulation of trash near the hospital, drawing public attention and prompting authorities to act.
What are the main challenges in waste management in Matanzas?
The main challenges include a shortage of active garbage trucks, insufficient fuel allocations, and systemic failures within the communal waste management system.
How has the waste crisis impacted health conditions in Matanzas?
The waste crisis has exacerbated health risks, contributing to outbreaks of diseases such as hepatitis A, dengue, chikungunya, and oropouche, due to poor sanitary conditions.