Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Cuban leader, took to social media to acknowledge the worsening state of Havana as the city marked its 505th anniversary. However, his comments sparked a wave of criticism from Cubans online. On his Twitter account, Díaz-Canel shared an image depicting the bay, the Morro lighthouse, and part of Old Havana, painting an idyllic picture while ignoring the crumbling buildings, garbage piles, and pervasive poverty.
"Congratulations, beautiful Havana. For you, for healing the wounds left by the hurricane and those opened by relentless time, we will work tirelessly every day," he wrote. In response, numerous Cubans reminded Díaz-Canel that Havana is far from beautiful, and its severe decay cannot be blamed solely on hurricanes or the passage of time.
Online Reactions Reflect Frustration
"'Beautiful Havana'… are you serious? Today we have a Havana filled with rubble, buildings in ruins, water leaks, sewage flowing through its streets, and stinking garbage in its avenues… is that what you call beauty?" questioned a user named Taoro.
Another Twitter user stated, "What used to be beautiful Havana is now the capital of trash." A chef added, "Destroyed by over 65 years of dictatorship's communism."
The Impact of Communist Policies
"And what about the wounds caused by communism? You don't talk about those, but they hurt more than anything else," emphasized a user known as "A slave of MINSAP."
Another lamented, "The open wounds left by the communist dictatorship hurt like 65 years of agony. Oh, my Havana, how you suffer!"
Havana's Struggles Amidst Its Anniversary
Havana commemorates its 505th anniversary amid a deep crisis that severely impacts its residents' quality of life. Prolonged power outages, collapsing buildings, accumulating garbage, water shortages, and deficiencies in essential services highlight the deterioration of the Cuban capital, overshadowing the celebration of this historic city.