A video shared on Facebook reveals Neptuno Street in Central Havana almost entirely obstructed by a massive pile of garbage and debris, vividly illustrating the breakdown of public services in Cuba's capital.
In the brief video, just over a minute in length, the creator, known as DisA, walks along the street narrating the scene: "Look at Neptuno Street, see how there's no gas, the street is blocked. Look, the street is almost completely covered. This is Neptuno, yes, Neptuno, brother, nearly the whole street is here, look at the thickness of the trash."
The footage makes it clear: household waste and debris form a thick layer covering much of the road. "And here you can find everything, debris, garbage, everything's beautiful. Everything, everything, everything, all beautiful," the creator concludes with bitter sarcasm.
Longstanding Waste Crisis
This situation is nothing new. Activist Silverio Portal had previously reported a significant accumulation of waste in April at the intersection of Neptuno and San Nicolás, near the La Época store, where the trash left less than two meters to completely close off the block.
The root of the problem is structural. By February, only 44 out of 106 garbage trucks in Havana were operational due to fuel shortages and a deteriorating fleet, while the city produces between 24,000 and 30,000 cubic meters of solid waste daily.
Inadequate Infrastructure and Public Health Concerns
Havana also has just 10,000 containers, when it needs between 20,000 and 30,000. In response to government inaction, residents in areas like Casino Deportivo have organized community clean-ups, and in many municipalities, the practice of burning accumulated waste has become widespread.
The health consequences are severe. In May, The New York Times linked the garbage accumulation to outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya, with Cuba reporting at least 81,900 cases of mosquito-borne diseases and 65 official deaths in 2025. The outbreak persisted into 2026, with more than 2,800 cases across 134 municipalities in 14 provinces. The Ministry of Public Health acknowledged 33 deaths in the recent wave: 12 from dengue and 21 from chikungunya.
Public Outcry
Comments on the video reflect the collective sentiment of those who remember a different Neptuno. "It's something that seems hopeless; many years ago, you could stroll down this street, with its shops, cafes, and bars, everything had a different vibe," wrote César Barbán.
Other users expressed their frustration more bluntly. "It's the trash island! As they say... unbelievable!" posted Ricardo Calvo Ferrera. "Neptuno and Campanario, everything has been lost in Havana. Cuba is dying," lamented Ana Maria Arriete Alvarez.
Teresa Machado encapsulated the popular outrage with her comment: "What savagery, and yet they ask for resistance."
On Tuesday, a mountain of garbage also blocked an intersection in Central Havana, and days earlier, a landfill in Nuevo Vedado was reported with five overflowing tanks, indicating that the capital's sanitation collapse shows no signs of resolution while the regime remains without fuel, trucks, and political will to address it.
Understanding Havana's Waste Management Crisis
What is causing the garbage accumulation on Neptuno Street?
The accumulation is primarily due to a severe lack of operational garbage trucks and containers, exacerbated by fuel shortages and the deterioration of the waste management infrastructure in Havana.
How has the Cuban government responded to the waste crisis?
The government has shown little action or political will to address the crisis, leading communities to organize their own clean-up efforts and resort to burning waste, which poses additional health risks.
What are the health implications of the waste buildup?
The garbage buildup has been linked to outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, with significant health implications including thousands of cases and numerous deaths.