In the aftermath of Hurricane Rafael's passage through Cuba, Havana's streets remain plagued with hygiene issues due to the persistent accumulation of garbage. A report from CiberCuba on Friday highlighted that Central Havana is still grappling with widespread cleanliness problems.
The intersections of San Miguel Street with Industria, Amistad, Águila, and Colón streets, along with the corners of Colón with Industria and Águila, as well as Águila and Neptuno, showcase the overwhelming presence of trash heaps. The hurricane only worsened the province's situation by adding fallen trees, branches, and debris from building collapses to the already existing waste.
Amid public complaints, the Municipal Assembly of Popular Power released images of what they described as a "massive mobilization" to clean up all avenues and streets after Rafael's impact. During the days leading up to the hurricane's threat to western Cuba, the government urged citizens to maintain hygiene independently to prevent disease spread.
On the social media platform X, the government suggested pre-cyclone measures, such as keeping trash containers tightly sealed and away from food to avoid contamination, overlooking the fact that waste inundates the streets due to inefficient collection services.
Legacy of Waste: A Persistent Problem
Prior to Hurricane Rafael's arrival, garbage already overwhelmed Havana, posing a threat by hindering water drainage from rainfall and coastal surges, potentially leading to flooding in low-lying areas. Despite Díaz-Canel's promises, complaints about trash accumulation remained consistent.
The impending cyclone sparked a flurry of activity among Havana's officials, who, concerned about the street-side garbage piles, hurriedly deployed work brigades to collect waste. However, these efforts led to minimal improvement in the overall sanitation situation.