An alarming video on Facebook reveals an overwhelming pile of garbage accumulating beside the well-known "8-story" building in the city of Artemisa. Heaps of household waste, debris, burlap sacks, and cardboard boxes have spilled over into the open areas surrounding this structure.
The footage was shared by journalist José Raúl Gallego on his Facebook profile, accompanied by a pointed critique of the Cuban regime: "This is the state of the trash at Artemisa's 8-story building. And what is the Cuban regime doing? They're too busy with their main activities: repressing and stealing."
This is not the first time the building has been the subject of public complaints. Back in April 2026, the independent outlet El Majadero de Artemisa highlighted issues with the sewage system in the same building. Additionally, the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press (ICLEP) reported that residents were "fed up with the neglect" from the Water and Sewer Company.
The garbage crisis is not limited to this building or neighborhood. Artemisa's waste management issues have been documented as far back as 2019. During that time, the province's Communal Services admitted the lack of a proper landfill and that garbage trucks frequently broke down.
By 2023, fuel shortages worsened the situation, turning several towns in Artemisa into dumping grounds as waste collection focused only on main roads, hospitals, and schools.
Entering 2026, the collapse of waste management has become a national phenomenon. In Havana, only 44 out of 106 garbage trucks were operational by February, while the capital was producing between 24,000 and 30,000 cubic meters of solid waste daily. This crisis captured international media attention, with The New York Times reporting on "mountains of trash, mosquitoes, and deaths" in Cuba.
Organizations like Doctors of the World have warned of health risks, including dengue, chikungunya, hepatitis A, leptospirosis, and acute respiratory infections linked to the accumulation of waste on the island.
Adding to the turmoil, Artemisa is experiencing heightened social tension. On June 2, residents in Toledo staged a protest against power outages lasting up to 22 hours a day, leading to a clash with the police. Cuba's electricity shortfall reached a record 2,153 MW on May 13, 2026.
The simultaneous breakdown of electricity, water, sewage, and garbage collection services in Artemisa paints a grim picture described by citizens on social media using the hashtag #CubaFailedState. In response to the government's inaction, residents in other areas have taken matters into their own hands. In May, people in Havana's Casino Deportivo neighborhood organized their own trash collection due to the state's failure to provide adequate services.
Addressing Cuba's Waste Management Crisis
What are the main causes of the trash crisis in Artemisa?
The trash crisis in Artemisa is primarily due to the lack of adequate landfill facilities, frequent breakdowns of garbage collection trucks, and fuel shortages that limit waste collection efforts.
How has the garbage problem impacted the health situation in Cuba?
The accumulation of waste has led to increased health risks, including outbreaks of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, hepatitis A, leptospirosis, and respiratory infections.
What actions are residents taking in response to the state's inaction?
Residents in various areas have begun organizing their own waste collection efforts, as seen in the Casino Deportivo neighborhood of Havana, due to the government's inability to manage the situation.