A brief video, just over a minute long, filmed on the streets of Bayamo and shared on Facebook, has become a stark testament to the decline plaguing the capital of Granma province. The footage reveals heaps of garbage piling up on every corner—debris, plastics, organic waste, and open burning sites scattered throughout the urban landscape.
Shared by Marisleydis Pérez Acosta on Facebook, the video quickly garnered numerous comments. What troubles viewers most is not just the evident filth but the stark contrast it represents against Bayamo's past reputation. For over a decade, Bayamo held the title of the cleanest city in Cuba, a part of its very identity. "We used to be one of the cleanest cities in Cuba, and now that's just a memory," wrote one user. Another summed it up succinctly: "Once the cleanest city in Cuba. Look at it now."
The Health Hazards of Open Burning
The video shows smoke rising from burning waste in public areas, posing significant risks to the respiratory health of nearby residents. Concerns over health are evident among those who commented on the video. "God help us; with all this rotting garbage, if a new dengue outbreak gains momentum, none of us will survive," warned one local. Another noted, "Food is sold covered in flies and all kinds of things," adding, "That's how the whole country is."
Beyond Bayamo: A National Crisis
This troubling scenario is neither new nor unique to Bayamo. In April 2026, garbage and debris accumulation blocked over half of a railway crossing on the line connecting the city to Havana. In early June, additional unsanitary sites were reported near Guajiro Natural.
The root causes are systemic: chronic fuel shortages that immobilize garbage trucks, deterioration of the vehicle fleet, and the collapse of communal services. In Havana, only 44 of 106 garbage trucks were operational as of February 2026, with up to 23,814 cubic meters of waste accumulating daily. Even Prime Minister Manuel Marrero acknowledged institutional failure on December 31, 2025, with Díaz-Canel admitting in October 2025 that there's no long-term structural plan to address the issue.
The Regime's Accountability
Many commenters directly blame the regime for this crisis. "It's a lack of governance: inspectors and police should be playing their roles where they're needed most, in the dumps," one user remarked. Another was more blunt: "Misery, hunger, disease. That's life in Cuba." A resigned comment added, "They clean it, and the next day it's the same."
Cuba ended 2025 with at least 81,909 cases and 65 deaths from dengue and chikungunya, and by June 2026, Matanzas was already reporting new cases in the current season. The garbage piled on Bayamo's streets, a city of about 200,000 residents, is more than just an eyesore; it's a breeding ground for epidemics that the regime has long failed—and seemingly refused—to control.
Understanding Bayamo's Sanitation Crisis
What has caused the decline in Bayamo's sanitation?
The decline is due to systemic issues such as chronic fuel shortages, deterioration of the vehicle fleet, and the collapse of communal services, which have left garbage trucks inoperable and waste uncollected.
How are health risks being affected by the current situation in Bayamo?
The accumulation of garbage and open burning sites pose significant respiratory health risks, and the unsanitary conditions contribute to the spread of diseases like dengue and chikungunya.
What role does the Cuban government play in Bayamo's waste management issues?
The Cuban government has been criticized for its lack of effective governance and planning to address waste management, with institutional failures acknowledged by high-ranking officials.