A video circulating on social media reveals that the intersection of San José and Escobar streets in Centro Habana is virtually overtaken by a massive heap of garbage, forcing pedestrians and vehicles to navigate the narrow space left on the road.
The 48-second clip captures piles of waste, including cardboard boxes, plastic bags, clothing, and debris, lining the deteriorating colonial-style buildings.
"I passed by there today, and it's worse than ever, dear God, this is unbearable," lamented a local resident. Another pointed out that the issue is longstanding: "That block has been like this for about 20 years."
The public frustration was palpable. "It's heartbreaking, my city turned into a giant landfill. How many people will fall ill while they still urge us to take precautions at home to prevent the spread of viruses and diseases? This is appalling, it's criminal," expressed another resident.
Comments also highlighted the health risks with the onset of summer. "With summer in full swing, epidemics will also peak amidst all this filth."
One resident listed the looming threats: "Any moment now, we'll see our old friends dengue, yellow fever, hepatitis, scabies, bedbugs, and lice."
A neighbor summed up the inequality with one remark: "Visit the residential areas of the officials to see if they have it like this."
Fire Hazards and Institutional Inaction
Centro Habana has witnessed numerous dumpster fires this year, some of which endangered the Parroquia de San Judas Tadeo and San Nicolás de Bari in the Los Sitios neighborhood.
The Escolapios Fathers reported exhausting all institutional channels after meeting with representatives from all three levels of government. "They listened to us. They made plans. They promised. But nothing has changed," they stated.
Root Causes and Structural Collapse
The crisis stems from structural issues. Since February 2026, only 44 out of 106 garbage trucks in Havana are operational due to a diesel shortage.
The city generates between 24,000 and 30,000 cubic meters of waste daily, but the actual capacity leaves up to 23,814 cubic meters uncollected every day. Even the regime admitted in December 2025 that it cannot clean the capital or pay street sweepers adequately.
Rising Health Concerns Amidst Waste
The epidemiological context heightens the urgency. On Thursday, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Carilda Peña, warned on the official television program Mesa Redonda that Cuba could face a new dengue epidemic with all four virus serotypes circulating simultaneously.
On the same day, Matanzas province confirmed its first cases for the 2026 season.
Cuba ended 2025 with at least 81,909 cases of dengue and chikungunya and 65 officially reported deaths, according to the Pan American Health Organization, in an outbreak that The New York Times directly linked to the massive waste accumulation on the island.
Key Questions About the Waste Crisis and Health Risks in Cuba
What are the main causes of the waste crisis in Havana?
The waste crisis in Havana is primarily due to structural issues, including a shortage of operational garbage trucks because of a lack of diesel and insufficient waste collection capacity.
How does the waste accumulation impact public health in Cuba?
The accumulation of waste poses significant public health risks, increasing the likelihood of epidemics such as dengue, yellow fever, and other diseases, especially during the summer months.
What actions have been taken to address the waste issue in Centro Habana?
Despite meetings and promises from government representatives, there has been little tangible action to resolve the waste crisis in Centro Habana, leading to continued public frustration and health risks.