While officials in Guantánamo boast about clearing thousands of cubic meters of debris left by Hurricane Melissa, a massive garbage dump right in front of San Rafael Cemetery stands as a stark symbol of collective neglect amidst a severe health crisis.
This sprawling dumpsite, stretching "from corner to corner" across from the graveyard, has even buried the ampirol bed designed for systematic waste collection, as reported by the state-run newspaper Venceremos.
The tragic irony is that the area had recently been cleaned at the cost of around 15 truckloads, an effort rendered futile by a lack of civic responsibility and an inefficient government waste collection system.
Giovanis Fernández, the provincial director of Construction and Investments at the Communal Services Company, has assured that the city will be "completely clean" by this weekend.
However, this promise seems more aspirational than realistic, as key roads in the Sur-Isleta and Sur-hospital neighborhoods remain uncleared, and 800 cubic meters of debris still litter the industrial zone, the media outlet noted.
The Futility of Cleanup Efforts
The "cleanliness crusade" involved 900 workers, 50 dump trucks, seven loaders, three backhoes, and five lifters from the Azcuba business group.
With such a deployment of resources, one must wonder: how can the city still struggle against these micro-dumps that sprout like mushrooms after rain?
Blaming the Citizens: The Usual Tactic
The official took the opportunity to point fingers at "careless individuals or neighbors" who recreate waste points post-cleanup. However, he conveniently overlooked the absence of an effective garbage collection system. Without regular truck pickups and adequate containers, what are people supposed to do with their trash?
He also dismissed social media critics as "incapable of introspection," a simplistic rebuke that dodges a deeper conversation: Why can't a country that prides itself on health and organization keep a city clean after a hurricane?
Temporary Infrastructure and Unfulfilled Promises
The new strategy involves "four loaders, seven trucks, and four tractors" provided by various agencies as a temporary solution "while communal services recovery is consolidated."
In other words, more of the same: patches, improvisation, and the endless wait to "secure nationwide support."
Meanwhile, the garbage dump in front of San Rafael Cemetery in Guantánamo remains a monument to neglect that everyone suffers but no one wants to see. It serves as a reminder that in Cuba, even the dead cannot rest in peace amid such filth and abandonment.
The unanswered question is simple: if the city can't stay clean for even 15 days post-hurricane, what will happen when the "extraordinary mobilization" ends and things return to "normal"?
The issue of the dumpsite near the Guantanamo cemetery is not new. In August, a local resident highlighted the appalling state of the area, brimming with waste, via his Facebook account.
The oldest cemetery in the eastern city suffers from neglect, vandalism, and a lack of maintenance, with deteriorating mausoleums of Libertador Army heroes, yet it hasn't been declared a Local Monument nor has it any heritage routes.
In February 2025, the cemetery's condition gained attention after a video showcasing open graves, uncontrolled weeds, and a strong stench went viral.
In September 2023, a comprehensive report by Venceremos revealed that nauseating gases emanated from open vaults in San Rafael Cemetery, affecting the daily lives of nearby residents. They complained about an ongoing unsanitary condition justified by an institutional directive not to seal niches until fully occupied by corpses.
Profound neglect is eating away at cemeteries across Cuba. In Camagüey, the situation is dire, with citizen complaints exposing severe issues like desecrations, marble and bronze thefts, open vaults, and exposed human remains, all pointing to an institutional collapse in cemetery management.
Understanding the Waste Crisis in Guantánamo
What is causing the waste problem in Guantánamo?
The waste issue in Guantánamo is largely due to a lack of civic responsibility, an inefficient government waste collection system, and insufficient garbage infrastructure such as regular pickups and containers.
How are officials addressing the waste crisis?
Officials have launched a "cleanliness crusade" involving substantial manpower and equipment, though their efforts have been criticized for being temporary solutions that fail to address the root causes of the waste problem.
Why is the San Rafael Cemetery in Guantánamo in such poor condition?
The San Rafael Cemetery suffers from systemic neglect, vandalism, and lack of maintenance, compounded by the absence of official recognition as a Local Monument or inclusion in heritage routes.