Journalist José Raúl Gallego has called attention to a massive waste dump encircling a children's daycare in Cuba, a nation grappling with severe issues in solid waste management. In a video posted by the activist on his X channel, the footage reveals an area in Pedro Nuevo, between Anita and Mantilla, adjacent to the daycare center Tierna Sonrisa, where children are at risk of exposure to diseases and pests proliferating in the garbage.
"The trash that has governed Cuba for 65 years has turned the country into a giant landfill. This video was taken in Pedro Nuevo, between Anita and Mantilla, right next to the daycare center Tierna Sonrisa, where children are exposed to the diseases and pests that thrive in the waste," Gallego wrote.
Widespread Trash Crisis Across Cuba
The garbage crisis is not unique to Havana. In June, residents of Altamira in Santiago de Cuba reported similar issues, with heaps of trash surrounding a school and a daycare. Parents of children attending Ruben Martínez Villena Primary School, known as Don Bosco, and the daycare center Amiguitos del Mundo, voiced their concerns over the unsanitary conditions encircling these educational institutions.
Health Hazards in Public Spaces
Another significant waste pile, located between a daycare and a supermarket on Calle 7 de Mármol, was found mingling with stagnant dirty water, creating an even more hazardous environment. One local resident remarked, "No one cares about the little children anymore. They don't care if a child gets sick with dengue or Oropouche. They talk about living conditions in other parts of the world but refuse to acknowledge how we live here in Cuba."
Government's Response
The Cuban authorities argue that they lack the resources and fuel necessary to clear the accumulated garbage from the streets. This ongoing issue highlights the broader systemic problems facing the country, exacerbating public health risks for its citizens.