The well-known Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac took to social media on Thursday to share a photograph depicting an overflowing garbage container in Havana, highlighting the regime's failure to manage solid waste collection—a common issue across various cities on the island. "If this is Miramar..." was the brief yet powerful message he posted on Facebook, warning that if such scenes are possible in one of Havana's more privileged neighborhoods, the situation could be dire elsewhere in the country.
The image showcases a substantial accumulation of garbage spilling out of the container and spreading onto the streets, lawns, and sidewalks, underscoring the local government's poor waste management practices. Recently, Father Lester Rafael Zayas Díaz also voiced concerns over the unsanitary conditions affecting the Church of San Judas and San Nicolás in Centro Habana. The local population habitually dumps waste on the sidewalks and streets, but the government fails to collect the trash.
Community Outcry Over Sanitation Issues
The community faces alarming sanitary conditions due to uncontrolled garbage accumulation. In his statements, the priest emphasized the "neglect and indifference" in addressing this severe issue, describing it as a "disrespect to healthy living conditions."
Recently, Cuban influencer Lina Hernández, aged 70 and known for her humorous and critical videos of the regime, bid farewell to a small dump site that had gained "popular recognition" in her community. "They took it away, but along with it, the oil and sugar also disappeared," Hernández remarked on Instagram while showing a smaller garbage container placed where a large dump site used to be.
However, the garbage collection problem persists in multiple Cuban cities. The regime’s inaction led a small private business in Guantánamo to deploy a truck for garbage collection. Official journalist Miguel Reyes reported last Friday on Facebook that the small enterprise Transnovoa contributed a truck to help clean the city of Guantánamo, presenting this initiative as an achievement of the non-state economic sector.
While the publication praises this effort to improve urban sanitation, it also highlights the regime’s inability to manage solid waste collection effectively. If a proper system existed, private economic actors would not need to step in.
Addressing Havana's Garbage Crisis
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the ongoing garbage crisis in Havana, as highlighted by Ulises Toirac and other community figures.
What did Ulises Toirac share on social media?
Ulises Toirac shared a photograph of an overflowing garbage container in Havana, criticizing the regime's failure to manage solid waste collection.
Why is the garbage issue in Havana significant?
The issue is significant because it highlights the regime’s inability to manage waste effectively, leading to unsanitary conditions that affect public health and quality of life.
Who else has raised concerns about the garbage problem?
Father Lester Rafael Zayas Díaz and influencer Lina Hernández have also raised concerns, pointing out the neglect and indifference of the local government in addressing the issue.