A crumbling building surrounded by heaps of trash once again underscores the deteriorating state of Havana, as waste accumulation poses a recurring health risk despite the government's attempts to enhance garbage collection.
Images shared this Friday on Facebook by content creator Liena López Delgado reveal piles of garbage at the crossroads of Belascoaín and San Miguel in Central Havana, adjacent to a dilapidated structure teetering on the brink of collapse.
"Look at this. It's a collapse. Just look," the voice in the video exclaims, sparking outrage among viewers over the squalid conditions in one of the city's busiest areas.
"Belascoaín and San Miguel, what a disgrace, how long will we live like this with so many diseases?" commented one person. Another user pointed out that "the unsanitary conditions add to the multitude of other problems faced by ordinary Cubans," while others criticized the authorities for their inaction in addressing the decay of public spaces.
Some voiced their frustration with sarcasm. "The Havana Wall... a World Heritage site," quipped one user. Others invoked the late historian of Havana, Eusebio Leal, lamenting the neglected state of the city's streets. "If only he could see his beloved Havana filled with garbage," noted a commentator.
In September, nearby Escobar Street was similarly blocked by garbage, furniture, debris, and sewage.
In early October, another video shared by López highlighted the trash buildup around the Bernardo García funeral home, along the outer wall facing Belascoaín.
Additional reports detailed the condition of a section of Zanja Street, also buried under waste.
A similar complaint pointed to a large garbage dump in Luyanó, part of the Diez de Octubre municipality, which had been left uncollected for over four months in front of a technical school.
The series of incidents illustrates that the problem affects various neighborhoods in the capital and persists for weeks or even months.
The accumulation of waste is particularly alarming amid the epidemiological crisis. As of this year, Cuba had recorded more than 11,000 estimated dengue cases, a figure 9.2 times higher than the country's historical average over the past five years, according to the Global Dengue Observatory of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, with data updated to October 4.
The Ministry of Public Health also reported increases in acute diarrheal diseases, hepatitis, and respiratory infections.
While specific garbage accumulation sites cannot be directly linked to these increases, the persistent waste and pest infestations exacerbate public health risks.
In response to the crisis, city officials introduced 20 trucks and over 240 Chinese-made containers, through an investment exceeding one million euros. However, officials themselves acknowledged that these resources "are not the ultimate solution."
A pilot project involving 30 electric tricycles for waste collection also fell short, with its failure admitted by those in charge.
Addressing Waste Management Challenges in Havana
What is causing the garbage crisis in Havana?
The garbage crisis in Havana is primarily due to inefficient waste collection systems and the government's inadequate response to the growing problem, despite new resources being introduced.
How is the trash problem affecting public health in Havana?
The accumulation of waste contributes to the spread of diseases such as dengue, acute diarrheal diseases, hepatitis, and respiratory infections, increasing health risks for the population.
What measures have been taken to address waste in Havana?
Authorities have introduced new trucks and containers, and tried a pilot project with electric tricycles. However, these measures have not provided a long-term solution to the problem.