A significant overflow of sewage has transformed Luis Estévez Street in the Santos Suárez neighborhood of Havana's Diez de Octubre municipality into an open-air sewage canal, according to a video shared on social media this past Saturday.
The video was captured by activist Adelth Bonne Gamboa, who walked the block to reveal how the wastewater completely overtakes the roadway. "There's no street, just a river," he sarcastically remarked, illustrating the dire situation.
Residents have pinpointed the leak between Cortina and Figueroa streets, extending towards D'Strampes. They emphasized that this issue has persisted for a long time.
One local mentioned that the street has been in this condition for years, stating that at 32 years old, he has always seen this block unchanged.
Another individual noted that the overflow has been stagnant for over a year, questioning if the authorities are waiting for it to connect with the Almendares River.
Community Concerns and Health Risks
The overflow situation is also impacting nearby streets. A resident pointed out that on Cortina, between Milagros and Libertad, crossing has become so challenging that a board is needed to traverse the area.
Comments from the community expressed alarm over the health risks associated with continuous exposure to sewage. "No wonder there's diarrhea, vomiting, and various viruses," commented one user.
This complaint highlights a recurring issue already documented in the area. In August, writer Rodolfo Alpízar Castillo shared images of a sewage leak at the corner of Figueroa and Luis Estévez, where dirty water flooded the street and a manhole was left uncovered.
The latest footage demonstrates that weeks after his report, sewage still inundates this residential zone in Havana.
The Decline of Santos Suárez
Santos Suárez, once known as "the second Vedado" for its pre-revolutionary architecture and residential appeal, has become a hotbed of complaints and protests. Residents have held cacerolazos, or pot-banging protests, driven by power outages lasting up to 22 hours and water shortages.
Havana's sewage system, dating back to 1908-1914, was designed for a population of 600,000 but now serves 1.8 million without adequate maintenance for decades. The network consists of around 1,755 kilometers of outdated pipes.
In 2025, Cuba closed the year with at least 81,909 cases of dengue and chikungunya, resulting in 65 deaths. This outbreak is directly linked to waste accumulation and stagnant water.
As of this year, dengue cases have surged to 7.4 times the expected level, with 7,133 cases reported across 134 municipalities in all 14 provinces, according to recent data from the Global Dengue Observatory (GDO) of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine published in September.
Shortly after, the Ministry of Public Health acknowledged an increase in diarrhea, hepatitis, and arbovirus cases due to the ongoing water and sanitation crisis.
FAQs on Havana's Sewage and Health Crisis
What is causing the sewage overflow on Luis Estévez Street?
The overflow is due to a long-standing sewage leak between Cortina and Figueroa streets, which has not been addressed by the authorities.
What health risks do residents face due to the sewage problem?
Residents are at risk of health issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, and other virus infections due to continuous exposure to contaminated water.
How does the current sewage infrastructure affect Havana?
Havana's outdated sewage system, built for a smaller population, struggles to accommodate the current needs, leading to frequent overflows and health hazards.