A recently shared video on social media exposes the deplorable conditions surrounding the Cuatro Caminos Shopping Center in Havana, where a side street is submerged in murky green water, littered with blackened cartons, plastic debris, and mud.
The footage, posted on Facebook by Iván Rosa Armenteros, is accompanied by a commentary reflecting the frustration of many Cubans: "They've turned this country into a filthy mess. Even beauty gets tiresome."
One commenter noted that the stagnant green water has been a persistent problem for over three months, with no action from authorities. "It's a busy shopping area with heavy traffic, yet nothing is done to address this green water or the community's pollution," they stated.
Residents report that the issue extends beyond Cuatro Caminos. "My street is similarly flooded with sewage on both sides, and no one does anything. Today, it's the neighbors digging trenches because we've been dealing with this for months," one person shared.
Resignation is evident among those who reacted to the video. "Most Cubans have normalized this dire situation, and that's why Cuba keeps declining over the years," lamented another commentator.
Another individual ironically pointed out the hypocrisy of the state: "Then they come to our homes to fine us for mosquitoes."
"All of Havana, including its neighborhoods, is in this condition, and we survive only because a greater epidemic hasn't struck us yet. There's no potable water, no electricity to preserve food, no medicines," summarized one commenter. Another was more direct: "Cuba is ruined, and it hurts."
Infrastructure Failures Intensify Crisis
The commercial district of Cuatro Caminos, long plagued by frequent flooding due to inadequate drainage systems, now faces the additional burden of uncollected waste.
Havana is struggling with a severe waste collection issue. Of the 106 garbage trucks available at the beginning of the year, only 44 remain in operation, representing a mere 41% of the fleet, crippled by fuel shortages and mechanical failures.
A city with over 1.8 million residents generates between 24,000 and 30,000 cubic meters of solid waste daily, but as much as 23,814 cubic meters remain uncollected each day.
In late 2025, the government admitted its inability to clean the capital or adequately compensate street cleaners, yet no real solutions have been implemented.
Citywide Consequences and Public Health Risks
The situation at Cuatro Caminos is not isolated. Recently, trash has overwhelmed Trillo Park in Centro Habana, and Perla Rosales, Deputy Director of the Office of the Historian, acknowledged that Old Havana cannot stay clean for even two hours after a sanitation effort.
The public health implications are severe. Cuba ended 2025 with at least 81,909 reported cases of dengue and chikungunya, resulting in 65 deaths. By 2026, the outbreak persisted in 134 municipalities.
More than 500,000 residents of Havana were without regular potable water supply as of July, and recent reports indicated that cracked pipes could draw contaminated water into the system during power outages, further endangering the public.
FAQs about the Environmental Crisis in Havana
What is causing the flooding around Cuatro Caminos?
The flooding is primarily due to inadequate drainage systems and poor waste management, leading to stagnant water mixed with trash.
How is the waste management issue affecting Havana?
With only 41% of garbage trucks operational, a significant portion of the city's waste remains uncollected, exacerbating pollution and public health risks.
What are the health risks associated with the current situation?
The accumulation of stagnant water and uncollected waste increases the risk of diseases like dengue and chikungunya, as well as potential contamination of the water supply.