Why are the streets of Havana empty?

A Cuban asked himself on social networkswhy the streets of Havana look empty and received hundreds of responses that recall everything from the fuel crisis to the exodus of the population.

In the group ofFacebook Today's Vedado, user Rafael Argiz said he did not understand why there are no people on the streets of such a central Havana neighborhood. The post has more than 300 comments and nearly 500 interactions.

"You see few people on the streets of El Vedado and any place that used to have life. There are so many, so manysadness in this country They don't even want to talk about it. The people of Cuba have lost hope, which is the last thing a human being can lose. "Cuba is an intensive care patient with a bad prognosis for life, not to mention a corpse, because those of us who are left are still alive," said one person.

There were also references in the comments to theeconomic inflation Because high prices make people stay at home and avoid going out to consume. "Cuba is on fire and not even dream of entering a restaurant, a cafeteria, an MSME, or any business."

"The problems are several,there is no transportation, the offers are of poor quality and very expensive most of the time, regardless of the quantity ofyoung people who have paid the country"commented another.

This criterion is supported by real data. In fiscal year 2023more than 200,000 Cubans crossed the border from the United States and Mexico. In 2022 there were more than 224,000. Nearly half a million people have left the island, only counting those who have emigrated to the north.

Some users highlighted that the migration crisis is a "consequence of Castro communism" and blame the State for leaving the country depopulated.

"Cuba is a ghost country "its young people are gone," said one person, while remembering that the "empty streets are joined by the sad faces of young people without a future, separated families, despots in power and a desolate city."

Some comments also refer to thefeeling of insecurity that is lived on the island. "Crime is taking over the streets. They walk around with knives and machetes," said one person.

"Goodfear and sadness. There are good places but the prices are not in line with the average Cuban. It's hard because Cubans are happy and very loving. It hurts to see the empty streets. We are wonderful but we need to change for everyone's well-being," they commented.

The perception of deserted Cuban streets is not new. It has been warned for years and at times thatlow use of public space becomes especially notable. People live locked in their homes.

In April, in the middle of thefuel crisis many cities showed a similar image to the time of the coronavirus pandemic when it was mandatory to stay at home. The streets were completely empty and remain so today.