Cuba's Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, has openly admitted the government's failure to address the severe garbage crisis in Havana. Despite years of efforts, piles of waste continue to accumulate across city streets and neighborhoods, with little visible progress in waste collection efforts.
In a recent meeting focused on evaluating sanitation efforts in the capital, Marrero emphasized that while the upper echelons of the government do not doubt the dedication, effort, or sacrifices made by those involved in this mission, he admitted that the results remain elusive. “We, along with the people, deserve to see the institutions' efforts rewarded with tangible outcomes,” he stressed.
Marrero insisted that the new strategy for 2026 must focus on achieving immediate results in cleaning and improving the city's sanitation. He also called upon state administration bodies to engage the community in waste management efforts. “We need to involve the population in this fight,” he asserted.
However, in reality, Cuban citizens lack the resources and means to undertake a task that, in most parts of the world, is managed by the state. In Havana, garbage trucks are either scarce or out of service, making solid waste management one of the city's most pressing and visible issues, although this problem is not limited to the capital alone. Hygiene issues are pervasive throughout the country.
This garbage crisis unfolds amidst an arboviral epidemic that includes dengue and chikungunya, diseases spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which thrives in micro-dumps and unsanitary conditions.
The accumulation of waste not only mars the urban landscape and diminishes the quality of life for Cubans but also poses a direct threat to public health. In several municipalities within the capital, residents report thousands of cubic meters of uncollected garbage, while the government continues to fall short of delivering a sustainable solution to this problem.
Understanding the Garbage Crisis in Havana
What has Manuel Marrero Cruz admitted regarding the garbage crisis in Havana?
Manuel Marrero Cruz has acknowledged the government's failure to effectively tackle the garbage crisis in Havana, despite ongoing efforts.
Why is the garbage issue in Havana particularly concerning?
The garbage issue is alarming because it not only degrades the urban environment and quality of life but also poses significant public health risks, especially during an arboviral epidemic.
How does the current state of garbage management affect public health in Havana?
The poor management of garbage in Havana exacerbates health risks by providing breeding grounds for mosquitoes that spread diseases like dengue and chikungunya.