In the heart of Central Havana, two local residents have taken it upon themselves to protect their neighborhood from becoming a garbage dump. Lázaro, 58, and César, 63, have stationed themselves at a corner near Zanja Street to stop people from littering at a site that once was one of the largest unofficial dumps in the municipality.
This story was captured and shared by freelance photojournalist Enrique de la Osa, known for his extensive work documenting Cuban life for agencies like EFE and Reuters.
The locals have collectively decided to fund Lázaro and César's continual presence at the former dumping ground out of their own pockets. As part of this community agreement, specific spots on the block have been designated for trash disposal. Anyone caught discarding waste outside these areas faces a hefty fine of 50,000 pesos.
Standing firm in his resolve, Lázaro declared, "Anyone who dumps trash here, I'll deal with them," as he tried to light a cigar. "It was outrageous, brother. I think this was the biggest dump in Cuba," he added.
De la Osa confirmed this with his own experience, recounting how just four days before publishing the story, he was forced to alter his route because the street was completely blocked by garbage. He also has photos from three months ago showing the road clogged with filth at its worst.
"Today, Lázaro and César are vigilant, fiercely protecting their neighborhood to ensure no one dumps trash," De la Osa noted, adding that those caught in the act will be fined 50,000 pesos.
The corner watched over by Lázaro and César lies just one block away from a police station, highlighting a significant irony: despite the physical presence of the state, it is the self-management of the community that is addressing the issue.
This initiative comes amid a severe breakdown in garbage collection throughout Havana, which has worsened over 2026. Since February, only 44 out of 106 garbage trucks in the capital are operational due to diesel shortages and mechanical failures, leaving up to 23,814 cubic meters of waste uncollected daily in a city that generates between 24,000 and 30,000 cubic meters every day.
Central Havana has been one of the hardest-hit areas. On June 12, a mountain of trash blocked the intersection of San José and Escobar in the same municipality. In April, the area around Zanja and Dragones was identified as a hotspot of extreme unsanitary conditions, with piles threatening a nearby church for the third time in under two months.
In March, images captured seniors, children, and adults scavenging for onions at dumps in the same area. Faced with the state's inability to resolve the crisis, residents of Havana have adopted their own solutions in various parts of the city. In May, neighbors in Casino Deportivo organized a community trash pickup.
Back in November 2025, in Old Havana, residents were compelled to take their trash directly to the garbage truck. Now, in Central Havana, two residents vigilantly guard their corner because no one else will.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trash Management in Havana
Why are Lázaro and César guarding a corner in Central Havana?
Lázaro and César have taken on the role of guarding a corner in Central Havana to prevent people from dumping garbage there, as it used to be a large unofficial dumping site.
How have the residents of Central Havana responded to the garbage issue?
Residents have resorted to self-management by funding Lázaro and César to guard against illegal dumping and by organizing community clean-ups, as the state has failed to address the problem effectively.
What challenges are faced by Havana's garbage collection system?
Havana's garbage collection system is struggling due to a lack of operational trucks resulting from diesel shortages and mechanical issues, leading to large amounts of uncollected waste each day.