Cuban journalist Martha María Montejo, who resides in Houston, Texas, recently returned from a ten-day trip to Bayamo with a deeply unsettling observation: the people are not actively seeking political solutions but instead await an external entity to resolve the crisis.
In a conversation with Tania Costa, Montejo summarized her visit using three poignant words: "Sadness, poverty, and precariousness."
The most telling account she encountered was from a friend in Bayamo who revealed his short-term outlook. "I only plan for 60 minutes, what can I do in these 60 minutes?" he confided.
Montejo sees this as indicative of a deeper issue. "I didn't observe any spirit of political solutions regarding Cuba's situation," she asserted.
Historical Dependence and Current Realities
The journalist believes this mindset is historically ingrained. "I think there's an economic and political dependency mentality in the Cuban people, in this Cuban nation," she commented, drawing connections from reliance on the Soviet bloc and CAME post-1959, to billions transferred by Venezuela, and remnants of Russian support.
"Cuba is waiting for that. The people are waiting for someone to do something for them. Someone. It's very sad," Montejo expressed.
When asked by Tania Costa if people expect everything from outside—money, aid, rescue—Montejo answered unequivocally, "The rescue too. That's my view."
Entrenched System of Dependency
Montejo emphasized that this dependency system is neither new nor superficial. "This system of relying on others to solve problems still exists and is deeply rooted in Cuban society," she stated.
This apathy also manifests as a lack of protest. "Are there cacerolazos there? Not like in Havana or Santiago. I didn't feel or notice anything like that," said Montejo, who walked the streets during the day and afternoon without witnessing any signs of collective unrest.
Energy and Urban Decay Exacerbate the Situation
The energy context in Granma worsens the scenario. In June, the Granma Electric Company admitted that Cuba generates less than 1,000 megawatts compared to a demand of nearly 3,000, with circuits accumulating between 43 and 45 consecutive hours without electricity.
Alongside the energy decline, urban decay is rampant. Montejo describes "horrendous dumps in public places, near major hubs," such as Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Park and the railway.
What struck her most was not just the presence of these dumps, but the activity around them. "There are many dumps and people scavenging through them. It's not just that these public dumps exist, but that people, in a way, metaphorically speaking, feed off these dumps," she recounted.
This phenomenon is not unique to Bayamo. As of May 2026, only 44 out of 106 garbage trucks were operational in Havana due to a diesel shortage, and in September 2025, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment admitted that garbage was "scattered throughout Havana."
Montejo's observations gain weight as the system of external support collapses. In January 2026, Marco Rubio declared that the donors who sustained Cuba for decades "no longer exist," and the ECLAC forecasts a -6.5% contraction in Cuba's GDP for this year, placing the island below Haiti.
Understanding Cuba's Dependency and Crisis
What is the main issue highlighted by Martha María Montejo?
Montejo highlights the Cuban people's reliance on external entities to solve their country's crisis, rather than seeking internal political solutions.
How does the energy crisis impact the situation in Cuba?
The energy crisis exacerbates Cuba's challenges, with insufficient electricity generation leading to extended blackouts, further complicating daily life and economic stability.
Why is the urban decay concerning in cities like Bayamo?
Urban decay, marked by public dumps and scavenging, reflects deeper societal issues and highlights the government's inability to manage waste effectively, affecting public health and quality of life.