A massive garbage pile on a corner in Havana is attracting rats and other pests, as authorities fail to address the issue. A local resident sent photos to CiberCuba to report the situation on Marino Street, between San Pablo and Auditor, in the Cerro municipality.
According to the resident, the large amount of trash has accumulated over a long period due to the lack of collection by the designated trucks. "Rats, maggots, and let's not even talk about flies, are everywhere," he stated.
Landfills in residential areas promote the proliferation of rats and mosquitoes, which can transmit diseases such as dengue, Oropouche virus, and leptospirosis. "Call it what you want. Health is a fundamental part of social priorities. This is a public health disaster," said comedian Ulises Toirac, who shared a photo of a garbage heap at a street corner on his social media.
The streets of Cuba, not just in the capital, are inundated with garbage due to a lack of resources and the inefficiency of the regime. In late August, a Facebook user identified as Edmundo Dantés Junior urged his compatriots to post photos of the garbage piles in their neighborhoods, an unusual "contest" aimed at denouncing the alarming accumulation of trash.
Days later, a resident of El Vedado posted a video showing Havana's communal workers collecting garbage without gloves or other protective gear. "These gentlemen you see here, in what conditions are they working, because the rotting organic waste, including grass and other debris, is terrible," she said on Facebook.
In April, a study by the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory (OCAC) revealed that the regime fails to collect the equivalent of three Olympic-sized swimming pools of garbage from Havana daily, making the capital a "critical focal point of sanitary insecurity."
Frequently Asked Questions about Havana’s Garbage Crisis
Here are some common questions and answers about the ongoing garbage crisis in Havana and its implications for public health.
What diseases are spread by the garbage piles in Havana?
The garbage piles promote the proliferation of rats and mosquitoes, which can transmit diseases such as dengue, Oropouche virus, and leptospirosis.
Why is there so much garbage on the streets of Havana?
The accumulation of garbage is due to the inefficiency of the regime and a lack of resources, leading to the failure to collect trash regularly.
What actions have citizens taken to address the garbage issue?
Citizens have been sharing photos and videos on social media to raise awareness and pressure authorities to take action. Some have even initiated "contests" to highlight the issue.