An online video has ignited anger as it shows a state truck driver pouring water onto the ground instead of distributing it to the populace, intensifying criticism during Cuba's ongoing water supply crisis.
Shared on July 21 by Maikel Guilarte Centeno in the Facebook group "San José y sus alrededores venta de todo," the brief eight-second clip reveals the back of a blue water truck, its large hose dumping water onto dirt and gravel. Meanwhile, countless families continue without water access.
The incident reportedly took place in the Chávez neighborhood of San José de Las Lajas, Mayabeque province, involving a truck with the license plate B221026.
The video quickly drew public outrage. One user remarked, "Wasting water in Cuba is criminal; he's in for trouble. I can’t fathom why he’d do that."
Another commenter pointed to systemic issues within state-run enterprises. "They aren’t paid by the hour or water sold, so the quicker he finishes, the sooner he goes home with the same pay," they explained.
This statement underscored a broader issue—fixed salaries detached from performance metrics often lead to behaviors that ultimately harm the community.
Outrage also translated into calls for punishment. "That driver deserves the harshest penalty; he's a murderer leaving so many families without water," one user stated.
Others identified the vehicle's license plate and denounced the "waste of resources and denial of assistance," demanding the driver's removal for disrespecting a population already struggling with scarcity.
This incident occurs amid a severe water supply challenge across the island. Over 500,000 Havana residents face service interruptions, exacerbated by power outages lasting up to 28 hours, which disable pumping stations.
With 87% of the national water infrastructure reliant on electricity, only 135 out of 480 pumping stations are safeguarded against power cuts.
Under these conditions, water trucks have become a critical lifeline for thousands of families. In San Miguel del Padrón, neighbors recently fought over a single bucket when only one truck served the entire area, with some resorting to septic water out of desperation.
Nationally, approximately 2.7 million Cubans endure daily water shortages, as reported in May.
The Cuban Conflict Observatory documented a record 107 street protests in June, many directly linked to water scarcity.
Understanding Cuba's Water Crisis
What is causing the water crisis in Cuba?
The water crisis in Cuba is primarily due to the country's reliance on an outdated infrastructure that depends heavily on electricity, which is frequently interrupted. Additionally, systemic inefficiencies and lack of incentives in public services contribute to the problem.
How many Cuban citizens are affected by the water shortage?
Approximately 2.7 million Cubans experience daily water shortages, highlighting the widespread nature of the crisis.
What measures are being taken to address the water crisis?
Currently, the use of water trucks has been a temporary solution for many areas. However, addressing the root causes, such as upgrading infrastructure and improving energy reliability, remains a significant challenge.