A video shared on TikTok by the account Cuba.Live (@cuba.live2) captures a scene that's become all too familiar in Havana: central street arcades transformed into makeshift markets peddling everything from broken appliances to items salvaged from the trash. These images starkly illustrate the ongoing crisis in Cuba, where daily survival drives many to sell anything that might bring in some income.
The vendors offer items that, at first glance, appear to lack any functional value. However, for some, these goods provide essential solutions. There are those who purchase these old items to salvage spare parts or simply because they can't afford the exorbitant prices of new products in good condition.
Among the most common items are old cell phones, computer cables, appliance parts, and a variety of goods that seem to have been rescued from the garbage or possibly stolen from private homes. These phones and appliances are sold without any documentation of their origin, but since they are outdated, the regime often shows little interest in their sources.
The initial occupation of public spaces by street vendors was a controversial move, yet the authorities largely ignored the criticisms from urban planners and citizens. Today, this activity not only mars the already deteriorated streets of the Cuban capital, cluttered with debris and accumulated trash, but also hinders pedestrian movement. Sidewalks, laden with dirt and disorganized merchandise, have become a testament to Havana's urban decay.
For many, these scenes highlight the government's failure to implement real solutions, opting instead to allow this practice as a temporary fix amid the pervasive poverty and economic crisis plaguing the nation. Meanwhile, life on Havana's streets continues to be a blend of hardship, resourcefulness, and survival.
Understanding the Informal Markets in Havana
What kinds of items are commonly sold in Havana's informal markets?
Commonly sold items include old cell phones, computer cables, appliance parts, and various goods that appear to have been salvaged from the trash or possibly stolen.
Why do people buy these old goods?
Many people buy these old items to use them for spare parts or because they cannot afford the high prices of new products.
How do these markets affect Havana's urban landscape?
These markets contribute to the visual deterioration of the city and complicate pedestrian movement by cluttering streets and sidewalks with unorganized merchandise and dirt.