Argentinian journalist Carolina Amoroso painted a stark picture of Havana, likening its current state to that of a "war zone" after traversing its streets to film the documentary "Cuba, the Island That Fades." The film, shot clandestinely over a week under a tourist visa, captures the harrowing reality of the Cuban capital.
Carolina Amoroso, working as a correspondent for TN and Canal 13 in Argentina, drew this comparison while discussing the dilapidated buildings she encountered alongside cameraman Juan Pablo Chávez in various neighborhoods.
“At times, it really feels like the postcard of a war-torn place—buildings reduced to rubble,” Amoroso remarked. She expressed sorrow over the city's faded glory, noting, “You can still catch glimpses of the city’s past beauty, which is no longer there but once was.”
This scene evoked a peculiar nostalgia for Amoroso, who had never seen Havana before its decline. “I feel nostalgic for the city I never got to see,” she admitted.
Such war-like metaphors are not new in describing Havana. Cuban architect Ileana Pérez Drago previously noted, “The photos of Havana resemble a bombed city, as if it’s been through a war.”
The statistics support these grim analogies. In Havana, approximately 1,000 buildings collapse each year. Nationwide, Cuba faces a housing deficit exceeding 900,000 homes, and 35% of the housing stock is in poor or mediocre condition. By 2025, the country had only achieved 22% of its annual housing construction target.
These structural failures have also led to fatalities. In November 2025, a mother and her child perished when a building on Compostela Street in Old Havana collapsed.
Fear and Reality in Havana's Streets
During the interview, Tania Costa asked Amoroso if she felt any fear while exploring Havana's poorer areas at night, highlighting rising crime rates amid widespread poverty. Amoroso differentiated between types of fear. Among the people, she felt none. "I didn’t feel afraid among the people. I felt well-treated and welcomed by those we spoke with," she stated.
Her real fear was institutional. "The concern was that, given our activities, we might be detained, questioned, or have our material confiscated," Amoroso explained.
This fear was well-founded. While crime has surged in Cuba, repression remains unrelenting. The Cuban Observatory of Citizen Audit recorded 2,833 verified crimes in 2025—a staggering 115% increase from 2024. Robberies topped the list with 1,536 cases, marking a 479% rise since 2023.
Amoroso and her cameraman navigated their documentary production by drawing on their experience in hostile environments. Amoroso has reported on the Ukrainian conflict four times since Russia’s full-scale invasion, and in Venezuela, which she describes as similarly repressive with restricted freedom of expression.
Challenging the Romanticized Narrative of Cuba
The documentary, aired on TN, Telenoche of Canal 13, and the Aura platform, stems from Amoroso’s desire to challenge the "romanticized view of Cuba" often held by some in Argentina's artistic and academic circles. She aimed to reveal the ongoing struggle, a situation that has worsened over decades.
Understanding the Crisis in Havana
Why did Carolina Amoroso describe Havana as a "war zone"?
Carolina Amoroso compared Havana to a "war zone" due to the crumbling infrastructure and ruined buildings she saw, reminiscent of a city ravaged by conflict.
What are the housing conditions like in Havana?
Havana suffers from severe housing issues, with around 1,000 building collapses annually, a national housing deficit exceeding 900,000 homes, and 35% of existing structures in poor condition.
How has crime impacted Havana recently?
Crime has seen a sharp rise in Havana, with reported crimes increasing by 115% in 2025 compared to the previous year, and robberies being the most common offense.