The residents of a deteriorating building in Centro Havana have been living in deplorable conditions since 1969, surrounded by debris, trash, sewage, rodents, and insects, with no assistance from the authorities. The structure, located at 64 Tenerife Street between Antón Recio and Figuras in the Los Sitios neighborhood, is on the verge of collapse.
A Facebook user known as Paco Pécora accused the government of Centro Havana of corruption. The local authorities, based at the corner of Reina and Ángeles, have ignored the complaints of these residents who have lived in ruins for 55 years.
"This case has not been resolved due to a lack of management, corruption, negligence, and ill will from the decision-makers, who are the same people to whom complaints must be addressed, creating a vicious cycle with no hope of resolution. It's like a battered woman complaining about her abuser to her abuser," Pécora stated in the Facebook group "Denunciar Abusos Pueblo de Cuba."
Living Conditions and Safety Hazards
According to the post's author, children, women, and elderly people are living among the debris that could collapse on them at any moment. "People have fallen from makeshift balconies made of wooden planks from heights of four or five meters. Sewage floods the lower corridors, entering the 4x4 rooms where five, six, seven, or sometimes more people live in miserable conditions," Pécora posted in May in the Facebook group "Cuba Denuncia Now."
"The corrupt officials of the Centro Havana government are fully aware of this situation but have done nothing except profit from the potential solutions. Every few years, these people are assigned houses elsewhere, which are then sold or kept by the decision-makers, leaving the residents' conditions unchanged or worse," he detailed.
The residents have reported their plight to the PNR, the Prosecutor's Office, the Housing Department, and the local government, but they have received no responses.
"More illegal residents than legal ones live there, turning the place into a hotspot for crime to the extent that the police no longer want to go there due to the high frequency of complaints about crimes committed in the area or by temporary residents," he added.
"This tenement, as the government likes to call it, deteriorates more each day, threatening to collapse on its inhabitants at any moment," he concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions About Living Conditions in Centro Havana
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the dire living conditions faced by residents in Centro Havana.
What are the main hazards faced by the residents of the collapsing building in Centro Havana?
The primary hazards include falling debris, sewage flooding, and makeshift balconies that pose a risk of falling.
Have the residents received any assistance from the local authorities?
No, the residents have not received any assistance from local authorities despite numerous complaints.
What are the accusations against the Centro Havana government?
The Centro Havana government is accused of corruption, negligence, and profiting from solutions meant for the residents.