In a bold response to recent remarks made by Miguel Díaz-Canel, a Cuban citizen criticized the leader's public shaming of Havana neighborhoods that did not participate in a government-mandated garbage collection initiative. On Monday, Díaz-Canel, during a meeting with key government and Communist Party officials, targeted political delegates and coordinators from districts like Diez de Octubre, Playa, and La Lisa, accusing them of lacking civic participation in the cleanup efforts.
"Do we not have district delegates in these areas? Are there no political coordinators? Well, let them all come forward to answer, with names and surnames," demanded Díaz-Canel.
Reacting to this stance, a social media user voiced his discontent, reminding the president that it is he who should be accountable for the degradation of public services and the rise of poverty. "The only one who needs to answer is you, with the country plunged into absolute misery," the individual declared.
The citizen also criticized Díaz-Canel for his luxurious lifestyle, mentioning his "Rolex watch that no ordinary Cuban can afford" and highlighting "the lavish wardrobe of La Machi (Lis Cuesta) and the millions stashed in foreign accounts."
"Your leaders have enough to buy garbage trucks, fix power plants, and feed the people. You have the population dying of hunger and stress. Let Cubans live with dignity and leave with your millions. Long live a free Cuba! No more dictatorship!" the man exclaimed.
The comment gained significant traction online, reflecting the growing public frustration with the neglect faced by many Cubans. They endure a severe health crisis due to waste accumulation, food shortages, frequent blackouts, and crushing inflation.
The cleanup operation managed to remove over 35,000 cubic meters of waste. However, Díaz-Canel admitted that the issue is far from resolved, as the weekend's efforts barely addressed 300 districts throughout Havana.
The regime acknowledged that more than a thousand districts remain uncleaned and that no sustainable plan exists to tackle the severe waste crisis in the capital. Both domestic and international critics have challenged the official narrative that blames the population for problems they assert are caused by state inefficiency and partisan misuse of public resources.
Public Sentiment and Government Accountability in Cuba
Why are Cuban citizens frustrated with Díaz-Canel's leadership?
Cuban citizens are frustrated due to the mismanagement of public services, rising poverty, and the luxurious lifestyles of government officials while the general population suffers from shortages and economic hardships.
What are the main issues faced by Havana residents?
Havana residents are grappling with waste accumulation, severe shortages of food, frequent power outages, and high inflation rates that erode their incomes.
What was the outcome of the recent cleanup initiative in Havana?
The cleanup initiative managed to clear over 35,000 cubic meters of trash but only addressed around 300 districts, leaving over a thousand areas still needing attention.