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Havana's Casino Deportivo Neighborhood Suffers from Sewage Overflow Crisis

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 by Michael Hernandez

Havana's Casino Deportivo Neighborhood Suffers from Sewage Overflow Crisis
Sewage spill reported in the Casino Deportivo neighborhood, in Havana - Image by © Collage Facebook / Fernando Ravsberg

The Casino Deportivo neighborhood in Cerro, Havana, is grappling with a severe health crisis as sewage water floods the streets, forcing children to wade through waste on their way to school. This alarming situation was brought to public attention on Sunday by journalist Fernando Ravsberg, who took to Facebook to warn that the community is "literally sinking in filth."

Although a project has been approved to address the issue, the state-run company Aguas de La Habana claims that an unnamed institution is blocking the necessary work from taking place. Meanwhile, the sewage continues to overflow, leaving residents to endure the stench and health risks.

Ravsberg shared a series of images illustrating the extent of the sewage leaks, with fetid puddles stretching across several meters, obstructing pedestrian paths. The situation has sparked outrage on social media as users demand immediate action and criticize the institutional indifference to the daily struggles of the residents.

"Children cross multiple streams of sewage to reach school," wrote Ravsberg, offering a stark yet accurate depiction of the state's neglect.

The unsanitary conditions in the Casino Deportivo neighborhood are not isolated but rather a reflection of a broader systemic crisis affecting all of Cuba. According to official statistics, over 173,000 people across the country lack access to adequate sanitation systems, underscoring the scale of the problem and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions.

The capital's sewage system, described as a "century-old problem that chokes," continues to collapse due to institutional neglect. This dire reality has led to incidents such as the overturning of an electric tricycle with passengers due to a road pothole, and the near-fatal falls of two motorcyclists into a large sewage-filled hole, widely reported by residents on social media.

Beyond traffic accidents, the situation poses significant risks to the safety of vulnerable populations. Open manholes have become deadly traps for children and pedestrians throughout the country, prompting constant public outcry over the neglect of basic infrastructure.

Understanding Havana's Sewage Crisis

What is the main issue in the Casino Deportivo neighborhood?

The primary issue is the overflow of sewage water flooding the streets, which poses significant health risks and forces residents, including children, to walk through waste.

Why hasn't the sewage problem been resolved?

Although a project exists to fix the issue, implementation is stalled because an unidentified institution is opposing the necessary work, according to Aguas de La Habana.

How does this problem relate to broader issues in Cuba?

The situation in Casino Deportivo is indicative of a larger, structural crisis across Cuba, where over 173,000 people lack access to proper sanitation systems.

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