Cuban activist Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez recently shared a disturbing scene on social media: the sale of fruits and vegetables on the streets of Havana, surrounded by heaps of garbage. He sarcastically referred to these conditions as the "exquisite hygiene standards" under which food is sold to the public.
The video, lasting one minute and 34 seconds, was posted on his Facebook profile. It shows an outdoor market where pineapples, bananas, and root vegetables are displayed under tents or directly on the ground, with residential buildings and piles of waste visible in the background.
Citywide Crisis: Garbage Blockades in Havana
This unsettling scene is far from unique. Recently, streets in Central Havana have been obstructed by mountains of trash, including Neptuno Street and the intersection of San José and Escobar, as documented in videos circulating on social media.
A biologist who commented on one of these videos warned bluntly of the health risks: "An outbreak of gastroenteritis in Havana is imminent."
Underlying Issues in Waste Collection
The collapse of Havana's waste collection system is rooted in structural failures. As of February 2026, only 44 out of the 106 garbage trucks in the capital are operational, hindered by fuel shortages and mechanical issues.
The city produces between 24,000 and 30,000 cubic meters of solid waste daily, yet the actual collection capacity falls short, leaving up to 23,814 cubic meters uncollected each day. While Havana needs between 20,000 and 30,000 containers, it currently has only 10,000.
Government Inaction and Health Implications
In December 2025, the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel admitted its inability to clean the capital or adequately compensate street sweepers. The so-called Operation Clean-Up in late 2025 managed to gather about 396,157 cubic meters of waste in just over twenty days, yet the garbage quickly reaccumulated, demonstrating the superficial nature of the effort.
The health consequences of this waste accumulation are severe and well-documented. Cuba ended 2025 with at least 81,909 cases of dengue and chikungunya and 65 official deaths, according to a report by The New York Times linking the outbreak directly to the waste crisis.
By 2026, the outbreak persisted with over 2,800 cases across 134 municipalities in 14 provinces. On June 12, Deputy Health Minister Carilda Peña warned on state television that Cuba could face a new epidemic due to the simultaneous circulation of all four virus serotypes.
Epidemiologists also associate these waste piles with outbreaks of leptospirosis, hepatitis A, and oropouche. The onset of the rainy season in June exacerbates the risk of Aedes aegypti mosquito proliferation.
The sale of food near waste hotspots adds another layer of risk, exposing the public to potential food contamination in an environment lacking proper refrigeration, stable water supply, and effective sanitary control.
Desperate Measures and Cultural Loss
In desperation, residents have resorted to burning trash, leading to fires that damage historical buildings. On June 19, the Parroquia de los Escolapios in Central Havana suffered the destruction of its side door—a fourth such incident in less than three months.
Frequently Asked Questions About Havana's Waste Crisis
What is causing the garbage crisis in Havana?
The crisis is primarily due to a structural collapse in the waste collection system, exacerbated by a shortage of operational trucks and inadequate infrastructure.
What health risks are associated with the waste accumulation?
Accumulated waste poses significant health risks, including outbreaks of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, leptospirosis, hepatitis A, and oropouche, particularly with the onset of the rainy season.
How has the government responded to the waste crisis?
The government acknowledged its inability to manage the situation effectively, with temporary measures like Operation Clean-Up proving insufficient as garbage quickly reaccumulated.