Havana recently saw the collection of more than 35,000 cubic meters of garbage over the weekend, a move orchestrated by Cuba's government to address the severe health crisis plaguing the city. Despite this effort, a staggering number of over a thousand districts still await cleanup operations.
Initiated by Miguel Díaz-Canel, the operation was a focal point in a follow-up meeting held on Monday with top state, government, and Party officials. During this gathering, it was disclosed that solid waste removal was accomplished in only about 300 districts, leaving more than a thousand still burdened with accumulating trash.
Díaz-Canel acknowledged that the efforts made were inadequate to tackle a problem that has persisted for decades. "We made some progress this weekend, but it won't solve everything. There's a long road ahead. People have seen some action, but the question now is how to maintain it. The answer is collective effort," stated the leader on Sunday.
He admitted that Havana lacks a sustainable garbage collection plan, calling for the regularization of efforts like the recent mobilization, which involved state workers, citizens, army recruits, and National Revolutionary Police officers. Díaz-Canel also pointed out that some neighborhoods did not participate in the cleanup initiative, urging more people and institutions to join for better outcomes. "While many have mobilized, some have not stepped up, assuming others will solve the issue," he remarked.
The national garbage accumulation crisis stems from multiple factors, including fuel shortages, infrastructure decay, and poor state waste management. However, instead of proposing structural solutions, Díaz-Canel emphasized that "people, inspired by Havana’s example, will take action in their regions as well."
Havana’s sanitary situation has been a concern for citizens and experts alike. Garbage piles up on streets, open areas, and corners in a city of two million residents. During rainy days, waste clogs thoroughfares, reaching the entrances of hospitals, schools, and homes.
In September, Armando Rodríguez Batista, Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, publicly acknowledged the extent of the issue. "This trash isn’t contained; it's scattered across Havana," he posted on Facebook.
Despite sporadic cleanups and images of Díaz-Canel and Manuel Marrero sweeping streets near the Palace of the Revolution, the sanitary breakdown continues in the capital and across other provinces.
Understanding Havana's Waste Management Challenges
What caused the garbage crisis in Havana?
The crisis is primarily due to fuel shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and ineffective state management of solid waste.
How many districts in Havana still require cleanup?
Over a thousand districts are still waiting for sanitation efforts.
What was the government's response to the sanitation crisis?
The government organized a mobilization involving state workers, citizens, army recruits, and police to collect garbage, but acknowledged the solution is not yet sustainable.