A building located at the intersection of Monte and Rastro streets in Central Havana was demolished this past Wednesday, July 3, according to social media reports. "Monte was closed for this reason; they had a crane demolishing this building," wrote user Lázaro Leyva in the Facebook group "Automobile Accidents in Cuba."
Apparently, the demolition work was carried out without prior notice to pedestrians and drivers, disrupting normal traffic in these areas of the Cuban capital. The author of the post added in the comments section, "This is the third on Monte, and there are many more to go. I pass by and pray that one of those walls doesn't fall; just wait until the sun hits a bit more, and you'll see."
The poor conditions of buildings in Havana and the lack of proactive measures from the island's government also sparked skeptical comments. "Don't let the crane go too far; moving it might bring down the neighboring building and possibly the entire block. The disaster is so extensive that it could trigger a domino effect; I have experience with this," wrote another individual.
A video capturing one of the moments of the demolition was filmed by opposition figure and former political prisoner Silverio Portal, who highlighted the "critical" state of constructions in Cuba. "This is what remains of a system. We live under ruins, under the threat of death... Walking through the streets, thinking a roof might fall on you, sleeping and worrying your house might collapse on you, thinking your children could die, being imprisoned and fearing your house will fall," Portal detailed in the video's audio.
The independent media outlet Cubanet joined the outcry, noting the angle of reusing building materials removed during these demolitions. In a video showing several Cubans collecting bricks, wood, nails, rebar, and construction filler dust, the outlet pointed out that this helps with future constructions for Cubans affected by the scarcity of building materials, as well as allowing them to sell these materials on the informal market.
Recent Demolition Activities in Havana
Despite the deteriorated housing system, particularly in municipalities like Central Havana and Old Havana, there have been a few demolition actions by Cuban authorities. Last year, several such activities were recorded.
In May of the previous year, just over a year after the Hotel Saratoga explosion, Cuban authorities finally began demolishing the homes at Prado 609, which were destroyed by the impact of the tragedy, according to independent media reports.
Additionally, a few months later, the upper two floors of an old building in the Los Sitios neighborhood in Central Havana were demolished due to the risk of collapse, according to official sources.
Furthermore, a building that suffered a partial collapse in the same municipality due to heavy rains in December was also demolished before the end of 2023.
Critical Issues Surrounding Building Demolitions in Havana
The following questions and answers aim to address some of the critical issues surrounding the recent building demolitions in Havana.
Why was the building on Monte Street demolished?
The building was demolished due to its deteriorated condition, which posed a safety risk to the public.
Were residents and drivers informed about the demolition in advance?
No, the demolition was carried out without prior notice to pedestrians and drivers, causing traffic disruptions.
What has been the public's reaction to the demolition?
The public has expressed skepticism and concern about the poor state of buildings and the lack of proactive measures from the government.
How are materials from demolished buildings being used?
Materials such as bricks, wood, and rebar are being collected by locals for future construction projects or sold on the informal market.