A video shared by content creator Reinier Cruz on Facebook reveals Línea Street in Havana's Vedado neighborhood eerily empty and quiet at 8 p.m., sparking a wave of reactions from Cubans both on and off the island.
"It feels like it's two or three in the morning here on Línea Street, but it's just eight o'clock," Cruz remarked at the start of his nighttime tour of Vedado. The video garnered over 37,000 views and 172 comments, filled with a mix of nostalgia and sadness.
The first comment that captured the general sentiment was straightforward: "It's a desert."
Another user expanded on this, saying, "Cuba has become a desert. The Malecón was always bustling with people 24/7. I feel such pity for my country."
A Street Once Full of Life
Those who once lived or frequented this main thoroughfare decades ago recall a completely different atmosphere.
"It used to be a lively, cheerful street with a great vibe," commented one follower.
Another, who grew up on Línea 51 between M and N, detailed her memories: "It was a beautiful, lit-up, clean area with the scent of the sea and salt on the balconies. We used to hear the nine o'clock cannon blast while sitting on the balcony, listening to the traffic and the sea breeze mingling with the bus fumes."
Comments also mentioned iconic locations that shaped generations: the Trianón Cinema, Mella Theater, Teatro Estudio, Adolfo Llaurado Hall, Potín, Club Tropical, and the El Amanecer nightclub. "I lived on Línea between Paseo and 2. Those were joyful, fulfilling years," recalled a user who emigrated years later.
The Stark Reality of Today
The contrast with the current state is stark. A visitor who walked the street about a month ago confirmed, "I was in Havana strolling down this street around 10 p.m., and it was sad—almost everything was closed, and there were no people around."
A current resident added another revealing detail: "I live nearby, and it's a miracle there's electricity because not long ago, power outages were rampant. Even this part of Vedado isn't exempt."
The surprise of several commenters at the presence of electric light in the video—with remarks like "There's power?" and "They had electricity, that's good"—highlights how accustomed the capital's residents have become to darkness.
On July 17, a pot-banging protest occurred in Vedado after 30 hours without electricity, and in April, twelve families from the same neighborhood endured over 100 hours without power due to a specific outage.
The Broader Context of a Deserted City
The desolation on Línea Street is not an isolated phenomenon. Vedado's 23rd Street also appeared deserted in broad daylight, and Havana's Monumental Avenue has similarly been documented without traffic or pedestrians.
These images underscore the intertwining issues of energy crises, public transportation collapse, and mass exodus. Demographer Juan Carlos Albizu-Campos estimates that around 1.79 million Cubans left the island between 2021 and 2024.
Understanding Cuba's Current Challenges
What has caused the emptiness on Línea Street?
The emptiness on Línea Street is attributed to a combination of the energy crisis, transportation issues, and significant emigration from Cuba.
How have Cubans reacted to the current state of Línea Street?
Many Cubans have expressed feelings of nostalgia and sadness, recalling the once lively atmosphere of Línea Street and lamenting its current deserted state.
How has the energy crisis affected everyday life in Havana?
Frequent power outages have become a norm in Havana, causing disruptions and leading to protests like the pot-banging demonstration in Vedado.