In a remote quarry nestled among the hills of Matanzas, some Cubans continue to extract stone through sheer physical labor and under the blazing sun, as if time has stood still since the 19th century. These are not scenes from a historical documentary but rather snapshots of Cuba in 2025, showcased by Cuban YouTuber JSant TV in his latest video titled "The Most Shocking Place I've Seen in Cuba." This video unveils a raw portrayal of exploitation, state neglect, and technological stagnation.
In this forgotten corner of the nation, modern machinery such as excavators and electric saws are nowhere to be found. The stones are hewn with basic tools while the government turns a blind eye to the inhumane conditions endured by workers who, through their sweat, support the construction of the country's humblest structures.
Manual Stone Cutting: A Legacy of Neglect and Delay
The quarry specializes in extracting limestone, still employing manual techniques dating back to the 1800s. Workers, lacking proper protection and equipment, cut blocks using hand saws and iron wedges, all without labor guarantees, insurance, machinery, or hope.
The stone extracted here, through sheer effort, is used to build modest homes in Matanzas, a city also burdened by the construction material crisis affecting the entire nation. Meanwhile, official rhetoric continues to tout "productive transformation" and "economic sovereignty."
Isolation, Neglect, and Total Deprivation
Public transportation does not connect the quarry to urban centers. The only way to reach it is by paying 3,000 Cuban pesos to private transporters, which is more than a minimum wage on the island. Additionally, there is no mobile coverage or basic services. It is an area completely disconnected, both physically and symbolically, from the present.
The lack of state investment is not accidental. While the government prioritizes tourism and sectors that generate foreign currency, it leaves thousands of Cubans to fend for themselves, working with pre-industrial methods. Beyond its economic value, this quarry holds a neglected paleontological wealth. Marine fossils, Megalodon teeth, and prehistoric shells have been discovered, indicating that this area was submerged under the sea thousands of years ago. Yet, there is no signage, study, or protection for this site of scientific interest.
Over the years, the quarry has been excavated over 10 meters deep, irreversibly altering the landscape with no environmental regulation. The digging will continue, driven not by development, but by necessity.
This is a reality that Cubans are familiar with, yet one the regime prefers to keep off-screen. It is a reality where labor is maximally exploited without rights or tools, and where progress seems reserved only for tourist showcases.
Understanding the Challenges of Matanzas Quarry
Why is the Matanzas quarry significant?
The Matanzas quarry is significant not only for its economic contribution through limestone extraction but also for its paleontological value, with discoveries of marine fossils and prehistoric artifacts.
What challenges do workers face at the Matanzas quarry?
Workers at the quarry face numerous challenges, including a lack of modern equipment, inadequate protection, no labor guarantees, and isolation from basic services and transportation.
How does the Cuban government prioritize sectors over the quarry?
The Cuban government prioritizes tourism and dollar-generating sectors, often neglecting the quarry and other areas that rely on outdated, manual labor methods.