Reports of the systematic dismantling of a bridge at the junction of 100th Street and Rancho Boyeros Avenue in Havana's Boyeros municipality caught public attention on Sunday. This was after a local resident, Froilan Vega, made a detailed post on social media about the ongoing plundering of the structure.
"I want to know if anyone else has noticed how the bridge at 100 and Boyeros is being torn apart in full view, turning it into a deadly trap," Vega wrote in the Facebook group for affordable home sales in Boyeros.
The complaint points out that unknown individuals have stripped away metal guardrails, road signs, and the foundational fill, using materials from a nearby bus stop as raw material.
Improvised pathways for vehicles have been created over the curbs, and makeshift fences now replace the original safety barriers.
Vega questioned, "Who's conducting this work? Do they have permission? Who's accountable for the damage to public property?" urging the post to be shared widely to reach authorities.
The bridge at 100 and Boyeros is one of the busiest areas in the capital. As stated by Havana's government in December 2022, approximately 50,000 people pass through daily, as it connects the José Martí International Airport to the city center.
"It's not just this post; the entire city is falling apart," commented one user, pointing to other incidents like the removal of railings in Cerro, theft of entire fences in Mazmorra, and the dismantling of barriers in CONI amusement park.
Another resident sounded the alarm about the bridge leading to Terminal 3 of the airport: "All are being dismantled in plain sight, and nothing happens; the police are indifferent... When will it end?"
One Cuban noted, "These sheets are distinctive and used for makeshift housing. Those using them aren't far, and authorities don't stop them because they choose not to."
"It feels like a lawless country, lacking control. The most regrettable part is the absence of oversight from the responsible administration," lamented another citizen.
In late October, four men were apprehended while dismantling metal railings from a bridge at 114th Street and the Havana–Pinar del Río highway in Marianao, using a state-registered bus for transport. Days earlier, youths were recorded attempting to hammer away metal beams from the floating dock at Alameda de Paula in Old Havana, risking a plunge into the bay.
In August in Matanzas, a section of the guardrails from the General Lacret Morlot bridge over the Yumurí River disappeared, and two individuals tried to steal eight aluminum pipes from the city's viaduct.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vandalism in Havana
What has been happening to the bridge at 100 and Boyeros?
The bridge has been systematically dismantled by unknown individuals, who have removed metal guardrails, road signs, and foundational materials, turning it into a dangerous structure.
What is the significance of the 100 and Boyeros bridge?
The bridge is a key transit point in Havana, used by about 50,000 people daily, connecting the José Martí International Airport with the city center.
How have the authorities responded to the vandalism?
There has been significant public outcry, but the authorities' response has been criticized as inadequate, with many citizens feeling that enforcement is lacking.