The Cuban YouTuber Camila Carballo showcased the deterioration of the Gerardo Abreu Fontan Social Workers' Circle (CSO) and Coney Island in one of her videos.
"This place is filled with trash. It's a shame, there's not even any sand left. There's a lot of neglect, that's the truth. I have no words to describe the sadness I feel when visiting places like this. This is a garbage dump," said the young woman.
Both institutions were built with private funds in Cuba. They are located in the beautiful neighborhood of Miramar, in the Playa municipality of Havana. They were expropriated by the regime, and 60 years later, they stand as a testament to the government's neglect.
The Gerardo Abreu Fontán Cultural and Social Center was originally the Military and Naval Circle, established for officers of the Armed Forces, which were dissolved in 1959.
The regime seized it and transformed it into the Central House of the FAR, but later handed it over to the unions for the "enjoyment of the people," and thus it was poorly managed until it was left in its current state, completely destroyed.
"These establishments could generate a lot of money and provide enjoyment for the community. People would come, because these beaches in Miramar have a tremendous advantage being located within Havana," the young woman remarked.
In 2022, the CSO Abreu Fontán faced harsh criticism from the public due to the high prices of its dining options. People believed that prices should align with wages, but the situation has not only failed to improve, it has worsened. There are now hardly any leisure offerings at the location. It is empty.
The reasons behind the deterioration of these entertainment institutions are not necessarily economic, but rather involve strategic government considerations.
If these public spaces are abandoned, it creates a void in the collective imagination, and in a few years, the regime will be able to use these areas to promote initiatives aligned with its interests, as has happened on numerous occasions, especially in such a valuable area as Miramar.
Coney Island was opened in Havana in 1918. The project was inspired by a large amusement park created in Brooklyn. It quickly gained fame and notoriety, becoming one of the most famous amusement parks in Latin America.
Four years later, the elegant Balneario de la Concha opened, which, alongside Coney Island Park and the Habana Yacht Club, were once the most splendid and entertaining venues in Marianao.
The Cuban government has all these recreational facilities, as well as others in the same area, in a state of disrepair.
Regime officials claim that the neglect is due to a lack of resources for maintaining buildings and equipment. However, the State has indeed made millions in investments in nearby areas for facilities meant for tourism.
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