A brief 20-second video posted on Facebook has sparked a wave of sorrow, irony, and nostalgia among Cubans worldwide. The footage showcases Havana's iconic Malecón virtually deserted—devoid of people, vehicles, and life. In just a few days, the clip garnered 150,000 views.
The video captures a forlorn coastal avenue illuminated by streetlights. Prominently featured is the Girón Building—two 17-story towers at the corner of Malecón and F in Vedado—showing visible signs of neglect.
Comments from users on the post bitterly summarize the scenes depicted. "Our city, our Malecón, desolate, a perpetual silence broken only by the faint roar of the waves caressing the wall that seems to surrender to time," one person wrote.
Pointing Fingers and Expressing Irony
Another user was more direct, blaming those in power: "I see nothing beautiful... it would be beautiful if it were full of Cubans fishing, exercising, bustling traffic, young people playing guitars, laughter, and shouts setting the atmosphere... but this is a result of the Castro-Díaz-Canel dictatorship and all the mercenaries."
Irony also found its place. "Is there a curfew?" one user asked. "Thousands of cars driving around," another quipped. Many agreed in calling it simply a "ghost city."
Remembering Better Times
Nostalgia painted the rest of the picture: "It used to be like this before, everyone strolling along the Malecón, children riding bikes and scooters while parents enjoyed the refreshing sea breeze, burning energy before heading home to sleep," one reminisced.
"Very beautiful but very sad overall, years ago, even with the sun, people were on the Malecón," emphasized an internet user. A few words that encapsulate what 67 years of dictatorship have done to the heart of Havana.
The Underlying Crisis
What the video captures is neither accidental nor coincidental—it's the outcome of a multifaceted crisis that has emptied Havana. Between December 2025 and April 2026, Cuba lacked imported crude oil, crippling urban transportation and leaving thousands of Havanans without means to get around. Last Sunday, a group of citizens, having waited more than seven hours at a bus stop with no buses in sight, decided to cross the bay tunnel on foot.
Adding to this are power outages lasting over 30 hours and an electricity deficit exceeding 2,000 MW during peak hours.
Tourism, too, has plummeted—falling 55.8% in the first four months of the year compared to the same period in 2025, with hotel occupancy at a mere 21.5%. "All the hotels are empty," another user confirmed starkly in the post.
Mass exodus completes the picture: over one million Cubans have left the island since 2021, and Havana lost more than 100,000 residents between 2023 and 2024.
The Girón Building, visible in the background of the video, has its own story of neglect: a short-circuit fire in June 2024 left 132 families without elevator service for months, with the state failing to provide real solutions.
Understanding the Impact of Havana’s Urban Challenges
Why is Havana's Malecón deserted?
The desolation of Havana's Malecón is a result of a complex crisis, including a lack of imported crude oil, which crippled urban transportation, and severe power outages impacting the city's daily life.
How has the tourism industry in Cuba been affected?
Tourism in Cuba has suffered a significant decline, dropping 55.8% in the first four months of the year compared to the same period in 2025, with hotel occupancy rates as low as 21.5%.
What historical issues contribute to the current state of Havana?
Havana's current state is largely influenced by decades of political mismanagement and economic hardships under the Castro-Díaz-Canel regime, leading to infrastructure neglect and mass emigration.