Cuban content creator Kandy Aguiar shared a video on Instagram titled "Welcome to the Zombie City," where he navigates through the districts of Plaza and Playa in Havana on a Saturday at 6 PM, showcasing nearly deserted streets.
This video marks his second exposition of Havana amid the ongoing fuel crisis, garnering over 80,000 views. His first video has amassed more than 300,000 views and hundreds of comments from viewers.
Aguiar's initial video left many Cubans in shock. "I took a stroll through Old Havana just to make sure they weren't filming 'Juan of the Dead' in my neighborhood; this time we decided to visit Plaza and Playa," Aguiar explains.
In his critically humorous video, the creator renames the elements of the collapsing city. Traffic lights that are out become "zombimáforos," the Colón Cemetery is dubbed "zombiterio," and he compares the deserted streets to "the oil deposits of La Guitera," referencing the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant.
"I walked past the zombiterio of Colón, and curiously enough, guys... The zombies inside seem more lively than those outside," he jokes in the video.
The landscape Aguiar portrays is not exaggerated. Since January 9, 2026, Cuba has not received oil from Venezuela or Mexico, leading to blackouts ranging from 8 to 30 hours across all provinces.
Key intersections like 23 with J, Vía Blanca, Calzada de 10 de Octubre, and Cuatro Caminos have traffic lights that remain off.
On March 16, Cuba experienced its sixth nationwide blackout, leaving millions without power after 100% of the National Electric System collapsed, with nine out of sixteen thermoelectric units out of service.
The reference to the film "Juan of the Dead" (2011), the first Cuban horror-comedy set in Havana and winner of the Goya Award for Best Ibero-American Film in 2012, is intentional. In that movie, zombies were a metaphor for a paralyzed society, and now Aguiar uses the same metaphor to depict the current collapse.
"Due to the success of my previous video on the Zombie City, I'm considering starting a franchise. A bit of critical humor is the best I can offer right now to relieve the stress of those of us living in Havana and all of Cuba," Aguiar wrote in the video description.
Understanding Havana's Current Crisis
What is the cause of Havana's current fuel crisis?
Cuba has not received petroleum from Venezuela or Mexico since January 9, 2026, leading to significant fuel shortages.
How have the fuel shortages affected daily life in Havana?
The shortages have caused extensive blackouts ranging from 8 to 30 hours, affecting all provinces and disabling key infrastructure like traffic lights.
Why does Kandy Aguiar use the term "zombie city"?
Aguiar uses "zombie city" as a metaphor to highlight the desolation and inactivity in Havana due to the ongoing crisis.