The Hotel Torre K-23 in Vedado has been at the center of debate on Cuban social media for weeks, with many people describing it as an affront from the regime to the people.
The inauguration of the building is approaching, and public disdain for it is growing. Citizens refer to it as a "dagger in the urban landscape of Havana," reflecting a lack of government concern for the genuine needs of the island's population.
In a post by CiberCuba asking Cubans for their opinion on this building, the comments have been clear: "The K-23 Tower is not needed at all. What we want in Havana are clean streets, pothole-free roads, food, electricity, drinking water, and above all, freedom," said one user.
The luxurious tower, designed as a tourist icon, has been dubbed on social media as "The Viewpoint of Misery," reflecting the public's discontent with the inequality it represents.
"It is an imposing building that we Cubans are paying for amid all the shortages and hunger we are experiencing. With what that structure cost, we could have purchased some thermoelectric plants, and the suffering of the people would have been less due to the constant blackouts," said another person.
The criticism focused on the contrast between the luxury and opulence of the building and the precariousness that permeates the daily life of Cubans.
"Havana needs the repair of its streets, the buildings that are falling apart, investments in sanitation, and in hospitals that are in a deplorable state, but not in that empty hotel that does nothing for the people. I feel sadness and shame when I see it," said another Cuban woman.
The controversy intensified following a debate on social media, where users condemned the millions spent on the tower instead of improving the electrical infrastructure, repairing hospitals, or building homes for the thousands of families living in shelters after losing their homes due to collapses or natural disasters.
Recently, a Cuban architect criticized the lack of urban planning that prioritizes social demands, especially in a context where tourism has not reached expected levels. The profitability of these luxury hotels is in question amid a severe economic crisis in Cuba.
The K-23 Tower continues to face criticism on social media. More than just a building, it has become a symbol of the disconnect between the priorities of the Cuban government and the urgent needs of the people.
Its imposing figure is a mockery that contrasts with the abandonment and misery faced by Cubans day after day, across the entire island.
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