An enormous sinkhole at the crossing of Amenidad and Cruz del Padre in Havana's Cerro district has turned into a perilous obstacle for pedestrians, as reported by the independent outlet 14ymedio this past Saturday.
The report highlights a large gap in the pavement where accumulated rainwater cascades like a waterfall, sweeping along the trash piled up in the street.
Surrounding the hole, displaced sewer grates, shattered asphalt, and debris-laden edges paint a grim picture.
Images capture pedestrians trying to navigate the road, now a series of puddles and potholes: a woman lifts her shopping cart to cross the flooded area, while others carefully test where to step without falling into the water.
There has been no information on when the sinkhole first appeared, nor any official announcements regarding its repair or response.
This documented site adds to a growing list of similar issues in the same district. In June 2024, both a motorcycle and a car fell into a water-covered crater at the intersection of Infanta and Ayestarán, also in Cerro. Earlier, in April of that year, another massive pothole had been left unattended for about five years, large enough to block larger vehicles.
The degradation of Havana's drainage system is deeply rooted: the primary sewer network was built between 1908 and 1914 for a city designed for roughly 600,000 residents. Today, it struggles to serve nearly two million people with around 1,755 kilometers of largely outdated pipelines.
In July 2026, blocked sewers and rains turned the streets of Cuatro Caminos, in Central Havana, into a stream of filthy water. Just nine days before the Cerro report, a three-year-old tragically died after falling into a sewage pit in the Alamar area, with no official statement from authorities.
In February 2025, 13-year-old Jonathan Oliva died after being swept away by an open sewer during floods in Luyanó; his body was discovered the following day.
Havana's sewer system, a century-old issue, severely impacts the districts of Cerro, Central Havana, Old Havana, Diez de Octubre, and Plaza de la Revolución, which host the main network and cover approximately 69% of the capital's population.
"At Amenidad and Cruz del Padre, meanwhile, the water tumbles into the sinkhole amid debris, shifted grates, and fractured pavement edges. Just steps away, everyday life tries to carry on, as if resigned to the idea that these and other disasters are an inescapable part of normalcy," concludes 14ymedio in its report.
Understanding Havana's Drainage Crisis
What caused the sinkhole in Cerro?
The sinkhole was caused by structural weaknesses in the outdated sewer system and accumulated rainwater leading to pavement erosion.
How has the sewer system impacted Havana?
Havana's century-old sewer system, originally built for a much smaller population, now struggles to serve nearly two million residents, contributing to frequent infrastructure failures.
Has there been any official response to the sinkhole?
As of now, there has been no official response or announcement regarding the repair of the sinkhole in Cerro.