A video with the tone of a "nature documentary" made a mega pothole in the vicinity of Café Colón, at the border between Arroyo Naranjo and Diez de Octubre, the main character to humorously denounce the proliferation of holes and puddles on the streets of Havana.
The clip, which is part of the video series from Despingovery Channel, is
The narrator "discovers" a hollow formation at the municipal border and conducts a "dipping test" to measure the depth of the hole, celebrating it—amid laughter—as a "laugh-inducing wonder."
The crater is presented as a “hollow mountain range” worthy of the “Despingosphere” (referring to the Cuban crisis), with nods to alleged “ancient railway texts” that attribute its origin to the derailment of a train loaded with potholes.
The “moisture-retaining charquière barrier” has been elevated to a local symbol and the video concludes with a parodic self-definition: “We are Despingobrichana because of the potholes in Havana.”
Beyond the joke
The parody serves as a form of citizen protest: the "mandatory stop" is not a literary device, but rather the way that drivers and motorcyclists must navigate potholes that force them to brake suddenly, with the risk of accidents and damage.
The staging of Despingovery Channel ironically reveals a daily issue: streets with craters turned into pools after the rain, impacting mobility and the environment.
The “field chronicle” in the style of Discovery Channel does not uncover a new species, but rather an old acquaintance: the Havana pothole, which is becoming increasingly deep and prolific. Humor brings laughter; broken asphalt does not.
Dancing in a Crisis-Stricken Cuba
Despingovery Channel is a channel by the Cuban content creator and comedian Eddy Ceballos (@eddy.pa_.gozar).
The entertaining channel, where Eddy, with a documentary-style voice and a script infused with local humor, documents the regrettable state of the island, is announcing a series of videos that showcase the chaotic Cuba in which we live.
Its pseudoscientific tone, filled with double meanings, portrays the deteriorated and chaotic urban landscape of Havana as if it were a documentary from Discovery Channel, but with a distinctly Cuban touch.
Frequently Asked Questions about Despingovery Channel and the condition of the streets in Havana
What is Despingovery Channel and who is behind this project?
Despingovery Channel is a humorous project created by Eddy Ceballos, which uses a documentary format to satirize the deteriorating condition of the streets and other infrastructures in Havana, Cuba. The channel has gone viral for its humorous and critical approach to the current situation on the island.
What is the purpose of the videos on Despingovery Channel?
The videos from Despingovery Channel aim to highlight the poor condition of urban infrastructures in Havana through the use of humor and satire. Eddy Ceballos employs a pseudo-scientific tone to discuss potholes, puddles, and other issues that affect daily life in the city, turning these problems into "natural wonders" to emphasize their seriousness.
How has the Cuban audience reacted to the humorous critiques from Despingovery Channel?
The Cuban audience has reacted with a mix of laughter and reflection to the complaints presented in the videos from Despingovery Channel. While many applaud the creativity and humorous approach of Eddy Ceballos, there is also concern about the possible repercussions from the government toward this type of satirical criticism.
What specific issues are highlighted in the videos of Despingovery Channel?
The videos from Despingovery Channel highlight issues such as deep potholes, puddles in the streets, and the deterioration of infrastructure in Havana. These problems not only affect the mobility and safety of citizens but also reflect the neglect and lack of maintenance of urban infrastructure in Cuba.
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