Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged on Sunday that Havana's garbage collection efforts lack a sustainable support plan. "We made an effort this weekend, but it's not going to solve everything. People have seen a response, but now everyone is wondering how we will sustain it. Well, we'll sustain it if everyone works together. We need to systematize daily and periodically conduct exercises like this," Díaz-Canel stated.
He assured that with his strategy, Havana's sanitary conditions will improve compared to the previous week. Over the weekend, the regime mobilized state workers, recruits, and police officers to clean up a city overwhelmed by waste accumulation for years. However, the leader himself admitted that the turnout was insufficient. "A large part has been mobilized, but some haven't shown up, believing others should solve the problem," he remarked.
The waste collection issue extends beyond the capital, attributed to various factors such as fuel shortages and poor waste management across the country. Instead of providing structural solutions, Díaz-Canel appealed to public initiative. "I believe that people, inspired by Havana's example, will do their part in every territory," he commented.
The statements were made during a day when both Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero "joined" the cleanup efforts near the Palace of the Revolution, surrounded by officials and cameras. Despite the high-profile operation, the situation remains dire. Citizens have long been voicing their concerns on social media about the heaps of garbage accumulating on street corners, vacant lots, and building entrances in Havana and other cities.
When it rains, waste floats through streets, entering homes, hospitals, and schools. In September, even the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, Armando Rodríguez Batista, acknowledged the sanitary collapse's magnitude. "That garbage is not contained; it's scattered all over Havana," he posted on Facebook.
Rodríguez Batista described the piles of trash as silent witnesses to the country's inertia, accumulating in corners, lots, and margins. He warned that the issue is "sanitary, environmental, social, and spiritual." According to him, trucks and makeshift crews are insufficient; a profound change is necessary.
Understanding Havana's Waste Management Crisis
Why is Havana facing a waste management crisis?
Havana's waste management crisis is primarily due to a combination of fuel shortages and inadequate waste management practices. The lack of a sustainable plan exacerbates the situation, making it difficult to maintain regular waste collection.
What measures has Díaz-Canel proposed to address the waste issue?
Díaz-Canel has emphasized the need for collective effort and regular cleanup exercises to address the waste issue. However, he has not proposed any structural changes to improve waste management sustainably.
How is the public reacting to the waste management situation in Havana?
The public has expressed frustration and concern over the waste management situation, often using social media to highlight the problem. The lack of effective solutions has led to growing dissatisfaction among residents.