Residents of San Francisco de Paula, a neighborhood in the San Miguel del Padrón municipality of Havana, have raised serious concerns about the dire situation they face daily on the notorious "Chenal Alley."
According to reports sent to crime journalist Niover Licea, this alley has become a hotspot for violent assaults, synthetic drug consumption—particularly the notorious "químico"—and is allegedly a hub for illegal drug trade activities.
One of the images shared depicts an individual lying unconscious on the ground, evidently under the influence of the químico.
This powerful drug, often consumed through adulterated cigarettes, has been wreaking havoc on Cuban youth for months, further contributing to the social decay of entire neighborhoods.
Additionally, locals claim that an underground micro-enterprise operates within the alley, dealing in the illegal drug market.
"They call it the 'químico MIPYME' because everyone knows what's happening and no one intervenes," a resident explained.
Despite the community's repeated complaints, authorities have turned a deaf ear. Frustration, fear, and a sense of helplessness have driven citizens to reach out to independent media in search of action.
"We're exhausted. We want safety, we want justice. We don't want this alley to keep claiming victims," wrote one of the complainants.
Drugs, Violence, and Indifference: A Community in Crisis
The Chenal Alley has become, by many accounts, a glaring site of open drug use, particularly of químico, with young people—even minors—frequenting the area.
"They end up like zombies, lying on the sidewalk, foaming at the mouth, unable to move," a neighbor reported.
The danger is ever-present, especially for students who must pass through the area to reach their local middle school.
Beyond drug consumption, violence is rampant. Reports of daylight assaults and street robberies are common, with no police intervention in sight.
"Criminals act with complete impunity, as if they know nothing will happen to them," another resident lamented.
Where Are the Authorities?
In the comments section, many users highlighted the authorities' inaction as a significant part of the problem.
"The police aren't here for this. They only show up when someone shouts 'Patria y Vida';" "Here in Cuba, the police don't protect citizens, they suppress them. You call them about an assault, and they don't come. But mention an opposition protest, and they're there in five minutes," two users remarked.
Some neighbors speculate that deeper complicities are behind the químico trade.
"If it hasn't been stopped, there must be someone powerful behind it," one user speculated.
Others assert, "It's not just in San Francisco; drug points are all over Havana, and no one does anything."
Many comments also reflected on how today's Cuba starkly contrasts with the one remembered from decades past.
Despite political differences, there's a unanimous consensus on the severity of the current situation.
"You used to be able to go out at night, even if you were a minor. Now it's scary to even cross the street," a woman lamented.
"Children were sacred, education was sacred... now it's hell," "There's no control over anything. We're adrift," added two other users.
Mothers' voices also emerge, anguished by their children's addiction to these substances: "Many mothers are suffering because of the químico. We're losing our children, and no one does anything." The youth as silent victims
The químico—as an accessible and devastating street drug—has become one of the most visible faces of the social collapse gripping the Island.
"They're young people from dysfunctional neighborhoods, without guidance, without a future. The State offers them nothing, and drugs consume them," one commenter wrote. The outcome: a youth trapped between marginalization, crime, and institutional neglect.
The San Francisco de Paula community cries out for protection. They demand real police presence, dismantling of drug sale points, and concrete actions to safeguard their children, homes, and surroundings.
The plight of Chenal Alley is not an isolated story. It's a snapshot of a wounded Cuba, ensnared in a cycle of marginalization, drugs, and violence that festers under official neglect. The voices of its citizens, though desperate, hold onto the hope that someone will listen. And act. Because if not now, when?
Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Issues in Havana
What is happening in Chenal Alley, Havana?
Chenal Alley has become a hotspot for violent assaults, drug consumption, and illegal drug trade, particularly involving a synthetic drug known as "químico."
How are residents responding to the situation?
Residents have expressed frustration, fear, and helplessness, reaching out to independent media for action due to the authorities' lack of response.
What do locals believe is behind the drug trade?
Some locals speculate deeper complicities and powerful individuals may be behind the ongoing drug trade.
What are the demands of the San Francisco de Paula community?
The community demands real police presence, dismantling of drug sale operations, and concrete actions to protect residents and their environment.