The Cuban-Salvadoran filmmaker Jorge Dalton recently took to Facebook to share a series of photographs depicting the iconic Malecón in Havana, alongside a scathing commentary: "A portrait of horror."
Dalton paints the once-bustling coastal avenue as a ghostly place: "On this once splendid avenue, it's now nearly impossible to see a car pass by; it feels like an abandoned racetrack."
The photographs reveal severe deterioration: large stones have fallen from the seawall, terracotta bricks are exposed where the facade has crumbled, and there are deep cracks in the domes and pillars. Additionally, signs of humidity and advanced erosion caused by sea salt and neglect are clearly visible.
In some images, the sun glimmers on a tranquil sea with the silhouette of Havana's buildings in the background, starkly highlighting the contrast between the natural beauty and the decay of the structures lining the coast.
Dalton draws an ironic yet powerful comparison: "The pyramids of Giza and Khufu in Egypt, built around 2500 BC and over 4,500 years old, are in much better condition."
Havana's Malecón, whose first stretch was inaugurated in May 1901 and completed in 1958, is only 65 years old, making its current state even harder to excuse.
The documentarian concludes with a pointed jab at the Cuban regime's usual rhetoric: "Back then, Donald Trump didn't exist," mocking Havana's tendency to blame the U.S. embargo for all its troubles.
The condition of the Malecón is indicative of the widespread structural decay in Havana, where approximately 1,000 buildings collapse each year.
In June, a collapse was reported in the Malecón area, one of Cuba's most emblematic avenues, where many buildings suffer from severe structural damage.
Having grown up in Cuba and trained at the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC), Dalton has evolved from a product of the revolution to one of its fiercest critics.
In May, he declared that the Cuban regime "must end, it must fall, it can't continue," labeling it as "corrupt" and "highly repressive."
Understanding the Deterioration of Havana's Malecón
What did Jorge Dalton say about the Malecón in Havana?
Jorge Dalton described the Malecón as a "portrait of horror," highlighting its severe deterioration and comparing it unfavorably to ancient structures like the pyramids of Giza.
What are some of the signs of decay on the Malecón?
The Malecón shows signs of neglect such as fallen stones from the seawall, exposed bricks, deep cracks in structures, and erosion from sea salt.
How does Dalton criticize the Cuban regime in relation to the Malecón's condition?
Dalton mocks the Cuban regime's tendency to blame the U.S. embargo for its problems by ironically stating "Back then, Donald Trump didn't exist," challenging the regime's usual narrative.