Desperate Scene in Havana: Residents Collect Expired Beer Cans from Trash

In a deeply troubling and heartbreaking sight, residents of the Luyanó neighborhood in Diez de Octubre, Havana, were recently seen scavenging expired beer cans from a garbage bin. The distressing images circulated widely on social media, highlighting the dire conditions many Cubans are forced to endure.

This incident took place at the intersection of Concha and Pedro Pernas streets. A video, shared on Instagram by influencer Un Martí To’ Durako, captures the moment several individuals, including children, compete to retrieve the discarded cans, reportedly thrown out by a small private business that failed to properly dispose of expired goods.

"How sad to see this, brother, a small business in Cuba just tossing expired beer cans in the trash and look what happened!" the influencer remarked upon sharing the footage. The video shows a couple of individuals pushing a green container toward the dumpster, where others were already rummaging through the trash.

The environment is dominated not only by scattered garbage but also what appears to be sewage water, increasing the health risks present in the scene. A local resident confirmed the beers were expired: “That happened right on my corner. None of them were any good. People just don't listen, they were expired and punctured, but still, they went for them.”

A Reflection of Crisis: Poverty, Hunger, and Health Hazards

The social media post sparked a wave of reactions. While some expressed sympathy for those collecting the beers, others harshly criticized the video's creator for mocking the situation.

"To the person recording: I don't know what's funny about this. You should be ashamed that everyone can hear you laughing at your people's misfortune. Be careful; who knows, maybe next week we’ll see you in a video picking up cans," warned an outraged user.

Other comments highlighted the health dangers of consuming expired products exposed to the elements. "They'll probably drink them and get sick. They might even sell them on the black market as if they weren't spoiled," lamented another user.

"It's a massive irresponsibility to throw consumable products into public trash. There are designated places to dispose of and incinerate what can't be consumed for health reasons, as it could lead to someone's death," cautioned an online commenter.

A Repeated Phenomenon: Scarcity Takes Over

Unfortunately, such incidents are not isolated. In June, a similar scene unfolded in Marianao when a truck carrying Cristal beer overturned in Pogolotti. As the cans spilled onto the street, numerous residents rushed to collect them, unaware if the product was damaged or still safe to consume.

These occurrences, although regrettable, have become common in today's Cuba, beset by a severe economic crisis, scarcity of basic goods, and deteriorating sanitary and social conditions. Inflation, lack of purchasing power, and the collapse of essential services drive citizens to survival behaviors that paint an alarming picture.

The Human Drama Behind the Image

The act of searching through trash for expired beer—likely in poor condition and potentially hazardous—goes beyond a simple desire to drink. In a country where entertainment, social interaction, and even dignity have become luxuries, a discarded beer can might represent an opportunity, an escape, or a form of currency.

However, behind these shocking images lies a human drama that should prompt reflection and action, not mockery. Poverty is no laughing matter, and the responsibility of authorities, economic actors, and civil society should be to ensure that no citizen has to risk their health for a sip of expired beer from a dumpster.