In a video shared on TikTok, the user Reinier Cruz (@reiniercruz88) showed the state of Gabriel Street in San Miguel del Padrón, Havana, where a water leak has gone unrepaired for years. According to his account, the situation has remained the same since he was a child, and despite complaints from the neighbors, it has never been resolved.
"The neighborhood that doesn't have a street with water leaks in Cuba is not a neighborhood that is respected," he says in the video, highlighting with irony how this problem has become part of daily life. "Water leaks are part of the country’s heritage, folks. When a water pipe breaks, well, you know how that process goes in Cuba: it can take a very long time for them to come and fix it. Others are unfortunate enough to never get repaired, like this one on Gabriel Street."
He explained that even when the authorities try to fix the pipes, the streets are left with open trenches and remain unpaved. "If you happen to be that unlucky, the street will never be repaved, and it ends up with a trench right in the middle, overgrown with grass, and it never looks the way it used to."
The comments on social media reflect indignation and resignation. "Where is the money in Cuba?" asked one user, while another replied, "In the pockets of the Castros, for example." Others highlighted the unsanitary conditions caused by standing water and the proliferation of pests. "What madness, and to think that this is a vital resource that is being wasted," noted another user.
Some comments referred to the lack of action from the neighbors themselves. "Why wait for others to fix it? Do it yourself," suggested an internet user, while another responded, "It's not worth fixing anything." There were also those who compared the situation to other regions: "San Miguel del Padrón and Regla are a disaster," commented one user, while another pointed out, "In Spain, even the marginalized neighborhoods don't look this bad."
This report recalls other similar cases. In September 2024, this same creator reported the situation on Paula Street, also in San Miguel del Padrón, where a sewer leak turned the street into a river without any action from the authorities.
There are increasing reports on social media about the deteriorating urban conditions in Havana, with impassable streets, uncollected garbage, and crumbling buildings. Meanwhile, the solution seems to remain on hold.
Water leaks in Cuba continue to be a persistent problem affecting various regions of the country, causing outrage among citizens due to the waste of a vital resource and the lack of effective response from the authorities.
In January 2025, a huge sewer leak on a central street in Holguín sparked outrage among local residents, who reported that despite numerous complaints, the authorities had not taken any action to resolve the issue. The situation is the same in Havana, where residents of Vía Blanca and Recreo have been facing similar problems for months, with the state company Aguas de La Habana failing to provide an effective solution.
In October 2024, a large water leak at the entrance of Pinar del Río raised concern among citizens, as it severely affected water supply in the province. On the same date, in Trinidad, residents reported that while leaks continue to waste water, they have to pay up to 700 pesos for two 55-gallon tanks, highlighting the severity of the water crisis in the country.
El Vedado, in Havana, has not been exempt from this problem. In October 2024, an enormous water leak at the intersection of Línea and 10 streets highlighted the authorities' inefficiency in addressing the water crisis in the capital. In September, it was reported that Aguas de La Habana is wasting water while the population faces prolonged service outages.
The eastern provinces have also suffered the consequences of this issue. In May 2024, a water leak in Manzanillo, Granma, raised water to a height of five meters, affecting numerous homes. In Santiago de Cuba, sewage leaks have jeopardized the health of citizens, especially in the Altamira neighborhood, where residents have reported that this contaminated water flows next to a medical office. In the same city, some neighbors have had to resort to
These incidents reflect the deterioration of the hydraulic infrastructure in Cuba and the lack of effective responses from the authorities, leaving thousands of citizens in a critical situation regarding access to drinking water.
Frequently Asked Questions about Water Leaks in Cuba
Why are water leaks a persistent problem in Cuba?
Water leaks in Cuba represent a chronic problem due to the lack of maintenance and repair of the hydraulic infrastructure. Despite numerous complaints from citizens, the authorities have been unable to implement effective solutions, leading to a continuous wastage of a vital resource and affecting the supply in various regions of the country.
What is the impact of water leaks on public health in Cuba?
Water leaks create conditions that favor the proliferation of mosquitoes that transmit diseases such as dengue and the Oropouche virus. The stagnation of water in the streets creates an unhealthy environment that poses a significant risk to public health, in a context where the healthcare system is already facing serious challenges.
What criticisms does the Cuban government face regarding the management of water leaks?
The Cuban government has been harshly criticized for its inefficiency and inaction in addressing water leakage issues. Despite promises to improve infrastructure, citizens continue to report a lack of effective action, exacerbating the water supply crisis and generating discontent among the population.
What actions have the authorities taken to address the problem of leaks?
Cuban authorities have promised to work on repairing the leaks, but the results have been insufficient. The lack of resources and ineffective management have hindered an effective resolution to the problem, leaving citizens with irregular water supply and unresolved infrastructure issues.
Filed under:
