The Cuban comedian Jardiel González has raised awareness on social media about the unusual signage on Cristina Street in Havana, where a five-gallon steel tank has been placed as a traffic sign.
In a video full of irony, González referred to the makeshift tank as the "true Tank of Cuba", establishing a play on words with the term tank, which is very popular colloquially in Cuba.
"When you crash into a tank, what's up?" he said in his report. "If it's a war tank, how do you end up? Wrecked," he expressed, using slang to describe the impact that a vehicle might suffer when facing such an obstacle on the road.
In the video, González shows the inside of the tank and discovers a false bottom, which leads him to joke about the depth of the pit where it was placed.
"If you fall there, you'll find oil." he commented, exaggerating the situation to highlight the poor condition of the street.
"There you peek and find down below Jules Verne. There are 20,000 leagues under the sea to the center of the Earth. That is creativity and creative resilience. That is the true Tank," he emphasized.
A month ago, the tragic death of a 13-year-old boy occurred when he fell into an open sewer during a flood in Havana, which led to a wave of complaints about uncovered drains and potholes in the city's streets.
Residents from various neighborhoods, such as El Vedado, Playa, Boyeros, and Cotorro, have reported the presence of holes and uncovered drains that pose a latent risk for pedestrians and drivers.
Beyond González's humorous tone, the scene reflects Cuban reality: streets filled with potholes, lack of signage, and citizens resorting to improvised solutions to avoid accidents. This is another example that in Cuba, creative resistance is not just a slogan, but the only option for survival.
Frequently asked questions about improvised signage in Havana and urban decay
What does the "Cuba tank" represent as a traffic sign in Havana?
The "tank of Cuba" is an improvised signal that uses a coated steel tank to alert about a pothole on Cristina Street in Havana. This solution reflects the creativity and necessity of Cubans to find innovative ways to address the deterioration of urban infrastructure.
How does the condition of the streets in Havana affect the safety of its citizens?
The poor condition of the streets in Havana, with potholes and uncovered drains, poses a significant risk for pedestrians and drivers. These hazards have led to serious accidents, such as the death of a child who fell into an open sewer during a flood.
What actions have Cuban citizens taken in response to the lack of urban maintenance?
In the absence of maintenance from the government, Cuban citizens have turned to improvised and creative solutions, such as using unconventional objects for signage. This reflects a "creative resistance," where the population seeks ways to survive amid governmental neglect.
What is the Cuban government's response to the complaints regarding urban deterioration?
Despite the ongoing complaints, the response from the Cuban government has been insufficient. The situation continues to deteriorate, with few concrete actions taken to improve infrastructure and ensure the safety of citizens.
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