Cuban activist Silverio Portal took to the streets of Havana, specifically the bustling Dragones Street to Águila, to highlight the dire unsanitary conditions there. Through a Facebook video, he exposed the severe neglect: piles of waste, human excrement on the streets, homeless individuals sleeping amid the grime, and vulnerable children and elderly people facing a breeding ground for disease.
This video, directed at President Miguel Díaz-Canel and mentioning Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, paints a grim picture resembling a neglected public restroom in one of the city's busy thoroughfares, crowded with people and small businesses.
As Portal navigates the area, he engages with passersby about the deplorable state, receiving confirmation of what his camera captures. "Do you think it's reasonable for a child, like you, to witness this filthy crisis here? Who's supposed to clean this up?" he asks an elderly woman. She replies, "Oh my son, we've gone five days without water despite having a full cistern, because we had no power."
He also speaks with a man scavenging through the trash and seemingly begging nearby, questions a passing child, and approaches a particularly foul corner of the portal. "Where are the human rights, Bruno [Rodríguez] Parrilla? [...] Where are the human rights you speak of at the United Nations?" the activist demands.
Portal's repeated cries of "Look, look, look" and his emphasis that this occurs "within a community" underscore the public health risks. This is not an isolated incident; another Cuban recently reported sewage overflowing a street, highlighting a widespread pattern of urban decay.
The sanitary crisis in Cuba's capital worsens amidst a breakdown of basic services. Just days ago, blackouts left over 200,000 Havana residents without water, and twelve families in Vedado endured over 100 hours without electricity, a common occurrence for city dwellers.
The garbage issue isn't new either. Previous reports by the activist documented massive trash build-up on San Nicolás Street, also in Central Havana. Recent data indicates that Havana produces thousands of cubic meters of waste daily, which the collection system, crippled by a fuel shortage, cannot handle.
For months, activists and citizens have been sounding alarms about the pervasive litter throughout the capital, with accounts depicting unprecedented urban decline. Similar, albeit less severe, situations exist in various provinces.
The public health implications are dire: Cuba ended 2025 with 55 deaths from arboviral diseases, mosquito-borne illnesses that thrive in areas with waste accumulation and stagnant water. Meanwhile, the government offers no viable solutions to reverse this situation, instead silencing public outcry with repression.
Key Issues in Havana's Urban Decay
What are the main sanitary issues in Havana according to the activist?
The activist highlights the presence of waste piles, human excrement on streets, homeless individuals in filth, and children and the elderly exposed to potential infections.
How has the Cuban government responded to the sanitary crisis?
The government has not proposed any viable strategies to address the crisis and has been silencing citizen complaints through repression.
What impact has the waste management issue had on public health in Cuba?
The waste and stagnant water have contributed to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, resulting in 55 deaths from arboviral diseases in 2025.