Recently shared videos on social media have highlighted the severe health crisis engulfing Havana, where heaps of trash have piled up on the streets for days, even in front of religious sites, as residents plead for urgent solutions.
These videos, captured and posted by opposition figure and former political prisoner Silverio Portal on Facebook, reveal various locations throughout the capital overwhelmed by massive piles of organic waste, plastics, and scattered boxes.
Commenting on the situation, Portal voices his exasperation, condemning the "immorality" and "complete neglect" by authorities.
"We are living amidst waste, surrounded by everything harmful, and we are inhaling diseases," the whistleblower laments in one of the videos, highlighting the government's inaction and lack of management during a widespread outbreak of dengue and chikungunya.
The citizen bitterly notes the persistent presence of garbage in front of the Church of San Judas Tadeo in Centro Habana, where—according to him—neither religious nor civil authorities have acted.
"If the inside of the temple is clean, its surroundings should not be filthy," he asserts, pointing at the accumulated waste encircling the building.
The most distressing scenes in the recordings show individuals rummaging through the trash heaps, including an elderly woman searching for food or reusable materials.
Portal uses these images to denounce the poverty and despair overwhelming countless Cubans, particularly the elderly.
"Look at how Cuban mothers must debase themselves just to eat. It's the only way she has to feed herself," he expresses with visible anger and sadness.
The complaint also directly targets the island's political leadership. Portal mentions President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other members of the so-called "historical generation," accusing them of incompetence and indifference in the face of the crisis.
"They've deployed the army and Communist Party militants to collect garbage, yet the problem remains unchanged," he states.
His message, filled with frustration and sorrow, paints a picture of social degradation that extends beyond unsanitary conditions.
"I am mentally exhausted," Portal confesses, attributing the catastrophe to a system that, in his view, survives "at the expense of the people's suffering."
Meanwhile, the capital remains submerged in trash, pests, and diseases, without any sign of a comprehensive response. Amid the apathy and hygienic collapse, the citizen's final plea to the camera is for "health for the Cuban people."
Experts from the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap) acknowledge that Havana is facing a "critical situation" due to arboviral diseases, though they lack precise figures on infections in municipalities like Marianao, heavily impacted by dengue and chikungunya.
For weeks, soldiers, officers, and civilian workers from the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) have led the so-called "Operation Cleanup," aimed at enhancing the capital's sanitary conditions.
This military initiative coincides with the launch of "Operation Bell," a pilot project for nighttime garbage collection in areas with underground electrical service, as detailed by the Centro Habana Municipal Assembly of People's Power in a Facebook post.
Authorities hope to expand the model if it manages to ease the most critical points, though they acknowledge that a lack of equipment and fuel shortages remain the main obstacles to stabilizing the system.
The health situation in Havana has become one of the country's most sensitive issues. President Miguel Díaz-Canel himself has led several emergency meetings since early October, demanding "control and discipline" amid urban decay.
During one such session, broadcast by state media, the president criticized many state agencies for not joining the cleanup efforts and reproached the lack of timely response.
Nevertheless, reports from local media and testimonies like Silverio's indicate that makeshift dumps and overflowing containers continue to define the daily landscape in numerous municipalities.
Understanding Havana's Waste Management Crisis
What is the cause of the current waste crisis in Havana?
Havana is experiencing a waste crisis due to government inaction, inadequate waste management systems, and a lack of necessary resources like equipment and fuel.
How are residents affected by the trash accumulation?
Residents face severe health risks, including exposure to diseases like dengue and chikungunya, due to the unhygienic conditions created by the piled-up trash.
What steps are being taken to address the crisis?
The government has initiated “Operation Cleanup” and “Operation Bell” to tackle the issue, involving military and civilian efforts to improve the sanitation of affected areas.