Recent videos circulating on social media reveal enormous piles of garbage in at least three locations in Havana. These areas include the vicinity of El Curita Park, the intersection of San Juan and Virtudes streets, and the surroundings of the iconic La Época store in Central Havana.
The footage, shared by the Facebook account Cuba Hoy, highlights the worsening waste management crisis in the Cuban capital, garnering hundreds of thousands of views. The clip filmed in front of La Época has surpassed 366,000 views and has over 1,400 comments.
On Virtudes Street, the narrator points out a dump site that has reportedly been set on fire multiple times.
"Look at this. It's partially burned. They've set this on fire many times. The firefighters come, put it out, and that's it," he describes in the video.
The video also warns about the health hazards associated with open-air waste burning and mentions diseases prevalent in Cuba due to these conditions.
"Havana's dumps stretch for kilometers, and no one is doing anything to fix this," lamented the content creator in the latest video shared this Sunday. It depicts the dire state of one of the entrances to El Curita Park, near the historic building at Águila and Dragones, the main office of the Cuban Telecommunications Company (Etecsa).
Structural and Operational Challenges
The crisis is further complicated by the city's limited waste collection capacity. At the beginning of 2026, only 44 out of 106 garbage trucks in Havana were operational, representing just 41% of the fleet, due to diesel shortages and mechanical failures.
Cuba's capital generates an estimated 24,000 to 30,000 cubic meters of solid waste daily, yet as much as 23,814 cubic meters can go uncollected each day.
These new videos once again highlight an ongoing issue plaguing various parts of Havana, where trash accumulates on the streets while collection capabilities remain insufficient.
Attempts and Failures in Waste Management
Recently, the official press showcased a batch of 20 trucks and over 240 Ampliroll-type containers from China, in a tour led by Deputy Prime Minister Inés María Chapman at the logistics base in the Playa municipality. The investment exceeds one million euros. However, city officials admitted that this is not a "definitive solution."
Weeks earlier, the failure of a project involving electric tricycles donated by China for the Rampa Popular Council in Vedado came to light. The solar charging station at 23 and J remains unfinished, and the energy crisis prevents the vehicles from being charged.
Pedro Lizardo Garcés Escalona, president of the Rampa Popular Council, acknowledged, "Unfortunately, the initial idea and the goal of using electric tricycles for waste collection have not been realized."
The pattern repeats: In 2019, Japan donated 100 garbage trucks to Havana, but the fleet deteriorated rapidly due to lack of maintenance, spare parts, and fuel.
Health Implications and Environmental Concerns
Cuba ended 2025 with at least 81,909 cases of dengue and chikungunya, resulting in 65 deaths. The New York Times linked this outbreak directly to the accumulation of waste.
In February, the Cuban Neuroscience Center warned that the incomplete combustion of waste releases at least 30 toxic compounds. More than 500,000 Havana residents were still without a regular potable water supply as of July, exacerbating the epidemiological risk.
Understanding the Waste Crisis in Havana
What are the main areas in Havana affected by the waste accumulation?
The areas most affected include the vicinity of El Curita Park, the intersection of San Juan and Virtudes streets, and around the La Época store in Central Havana.
What are the health risks associated with the waste crisis in Havana?
Open-air burning of waste poses significant health hazards, releasing toxic compounds and contributing to diseases like dengue and chikungunya.
Why is Havana struggling with waste collection?
The city faces challenges due to a lack of operational garbage trucks, diesel shortages, and mechanical issues, limiting waste collection capacity.