The Havana Provincial Commission for Road Safety declared on Tuesday a significant operation involving road closures, diversions, and parking bans, impacting numerous streets and districts across the capital starting early morning on Thursday, January 15.
These closures are part of the organizational measures to ensure road safety during the tributes to 32 military personnel killed in Venezuela. According to official statements, these soldiers died "heroically during the criminal attack carried out by the United States Government against the sister nation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela."
Traffic Restrictions Begin at 4:00 a.m.
From 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, all vehicular traffic will be restricted, and a comprehensive list of streets will face parking prohibitions. These measures will remain in place until the ceremonial procession concludes, which involves transporting the bodies from José Martí International Airport to the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) headquarters via Rancho Boyeros Avenue.
Additionally, operational closures will occur at all intersections between Van Troy Avenue and Paseo Street starting at 7:00 a.m. Authorities advise residents to use alternate routes, such as Calabazar Road, Murgas Road, or Project 3 towards 114th Street, and to avoid the affected areas after 7:00 a.m.
Complete List of Streets with Full Closures and Parking Bans
- Paseo, from Zapata to Ayestarán.
- Boyeros and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Avenues, from Zapata Street to Vía Blanca (City Sports Roundabout).
- Aranguren Street, from Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Avenue to Ayestarán.
- Zapata, from 26th Avenue to Infanta.
- Streets 8 and 10, from 25th to Zapata.
- G Street, from 23rd to Salvador Allende Avenue.
- Colón Street, from Zapata to Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Avenue.
- Tulipán Street, from 26th Avenue to Ayestarán.
- Ayestarán Street, from Rancho Boyeros Avenue to Salvador Allende Avenue.
- Infanta Street, from San Lázaro to Cerro Road.
- Simón Bolívar Avenue (Reina), from Monte to Belascoaín.
- G Street, from Malecón to Salvador Allende Avenue.
- 19 de Mayo Street, from Ayestarán to Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Avenue.
- 20 de Mayo Street, from Ayestarán to Amenidad.
- Amenidad Street, from 20 de Mayo to Infanta.
- Manglar and Saldo Streets, from Infanta to Monte.
- Domínguez, Piñera, San Pedro, San Pablo, Tulipán, and La Rosa Streets, from Ayestarán to Falgueras.
- Panchito Gómez, Mazo, and General Núñez Streets, from Pedro Pérez to Aranguren.
- Streets 31, 33, 35, 37, and 39, from Loma to Paseo Avenue.
- Pozos Dulce, Montoro, and Luaces Streets, from Desagüe to Salvador Allende Avenue.
- Almendares Street, from 19 de Mayo to Salvador Allende Avenue.
- Plasencia Street, from Benjumeda to Salvador Allende Avenue.
- Retiro and Árbol Seco Streets, from Clavel to Salvador Allende Avenue.
- Subirana, Franco, and Oquendo Streets, from Manglar to Salvador Allende Avenue.
- Oquendo, Márquez González, San Carlos, and Nueva del Pilar Streets, from Santo Tomás to Salvador Allende Avenue.
- Hidalgo, Panorama, and Bellavista Streets, from Tulipán to 39th.
- Prado Street, from Neptuno to Monte.
- Zanja Street, from Belascoaín to Infanta.
Suggested Alternative Routes
- Cerro Road.
- Monte.
- Belascoaín.
- Cristina.
- Vía Blanca.
- Malecón.
- Puerto Avenue.
- 100th Street.
- Vento.
- Santa Catalina.
The Commission apologized for any inconvenience and urged the public to follow the guidance of the Revolutionary National Police (PNR) and remain alert to further instructions.
Repatriation and Official Tributes
The traffic disruptions are part of the official tribute program for the 32 Cuban soldiers who died during an operation in Venezuela. Their bodies will be repatriated on Thursday morning and received with a military ceremony at José Martí Airport, where the first posthumous honors will be paid.
Following this, the coffins will be solemnly transported along Rancho Boyeros Avenue to the MINFAR headquarters, where from 10:00 a.m., a public chapel will be open for tributes.
Marches, Tributes, and Burials on January 16
On Friday, January 16, at 7:30 a.m., a political-military event will be held at the José Martí Anti-imperialist Platform on the Havana Malecón. The so-called March of the Combatant People, described by authorities as a demonstration of "patriotic reaffirmation," will commence there.
At 9:00 a.m., simultaneous tributes will occur in all provincial capitals, and at 4:00 p.m., the remains will be interred in the Pantheons of the Fallen for the Defense in their respective hometowns.
"All municipalities will conduct posthumous tribute acts. Honor and glory to our heroes!" proclaimed the Communist Party in its official statement.
Context: A Narrative of Sacrifice and Silence
The Cuban government has framed the event as an act of heroic sacrifice, filled with patriotic symbolism, yet has provided no concrete details about the military operation that led to the deaths of the 32 combatants.
The soldiers' deaths occurred amid a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, resulting in the fall of Nicolás Maduro's government and the rise of an interim administration led by Delcy Rodríguez, who recently led a tribute in Caracas alongside Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez.
"The blood of both peoples merged on Venezuelan soil, as befits sister nations," the Cuban minister wrote after his visit, during which posthumous promotions and decorations were awarded to the fallen.
However, the lack of information about the Cuban troops' specific mission, their roles, and the nature of the "criminal attack" mentioned by authorities has sparked open questions among the public and independent media.
FAQs on Havana Street Closures and Military Tribute
Why are streets being closed in Havana?
Streets are being closed to ensure road safety during tributes to 32 Cuban military personnel who died in Venezuela.
What alternative routes can drivers use?
Drivers are encouraged to use Cerro Road, Monte, Belascoaín, Cristina, Vía Blanca, Malecón, Puerto Avenue, 100th Street, Vento, and Santa Catalina as alternative routes.
What is the March of the Combatant People?
The March of the Combatant People is a demonstration of "patriotic reaffirmation" starting at the José Martí Anti-imperialist Platform on the Havana Malecón.
Where will the military ceremony take place?
The military ceremony will occur at José Martí International Airport, where the repatriated soldiers will be honored.