Havana faces a worsening garbage crisis as a fuel blockade limits garbage collection. Enormous piles of waste have become a common sight, hindering everyday life.
Tough Job for Cleaners
José Fernández Zaldívar, 79, earns about $9 monthly sweeping San Rafael Boulevard. Despite his efforts, he often returns home to find litter blocking his front gate. “The garbage overflows so much that it blocks my house,” he explains, highlighting the severity of the situation.
These mounting trash heaps illustrate Cuba’s ongoing crisis as gasoline shortages stall garbage trucks. Some stacks reach four feet in height and extend half a block. Faced with unmanageable trash, some residents resort to burning waste.
“There is too much trash,” remarks Mr. Fernández. “I don’t know where it comes from.”
The government reports depleted oil reserves, exacerbating the garbage problem. The shortage of fuel means cleanup efforts are sporadic at best.
The garbage issue underscores the broader challenges Cuba faces amid logistical constraints. With essential services disrupted, daily life in the capital grows increasingly difficult.
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