Three years after the tragic explosion of the Hotel Saratoga, which occurred on May 6, 2022, the families of the adjacent building at Prado 609 are still unable to return to their homes.
The internet user Katherine T. Gavilan posted an eye-catching photo on Facebook showing the current state of the building that the regime promised to complete by August 2025: the construction is still at the foundation stage and there is no evidence of work in the area.
She reported on her social media that for many, the wait has turned into despair, and some have chosen to leave the country.
The building, severely damaged by the explosion, remains in ruins. Most of its former residents—who occupied 27 apartments—are still housed in the Villa Panamericana, in temporary conditions that have been extended indefinitely. Even more concerning is the lack of visible progress and official information regarding the reconstruction or rehabilitation of the property, it notes.
"Like each May 6th, they remain without being in their homes. And some have decided not to be in their country either," he wrote, referring to the growing number of those affected who have emigrated.
According to Gavilan, families were informed in 2023 that they could return to their homes in August 2025, but to date, there are no signs of progress.
In August 2024, the neighbors delivered letters to the Government of Havana, the National Assembly, and the business conglomerate GAESA.
The latter responded that the case was not within her jurisdiction; the other two entities, residents assert, have not provided a formal response, except to indicate that the person in charge of the case was the Chief of Construction of the Havana Government.
Recent attempts to contact the responsible official, Namán Morales, have been unsuccessful. A neighbor who requested a meeting with him received evasive responses from his advisor: first that she would "consult the case," then that she "had not been able to talk to him," and subsequently, silence.
Meanwhile, there are no responsible parties, no investigation reports, nor visible construction materials at the site. "Unofficially, it's said that there is no cement, and the rebar will already be sufficiently rusted to be useless," the post warns.
Beyond the material damage, institutional neglect and a lack of transparency have fueled the frustration of those affected. "There's no hope either," Gavilan summarizes.
“We're already a lot more,” one of the neighbors confessed, referring to the collective resignation of those who once called Prado 609 home.
The tragedy of the Saratoga resulted in 47 deaths and dozens of injuries, but for the neighbors of Prado 609, the explosion has never ended.
Frequently Asked Questions about the situation of the building adjacent to the Saratoga Hotel in Havana
Why haven't the families of the Prado 609 building returned to their homes yet?
The families of the building at Prado 609 have not yet returned to their homes due to the lack of progress in the reconstruction of the property, which was severely damaged after the explosion of the Saratoga hotel in 2022. Despite the government's promises to have the building ready by August 2025, the work has barely begun, and the residents continue to live in temporary conditions at the Pan American Village.
What has been the response of the government and other entities regarding the reconstruction of the building?
Until now, the government and other entities have not provided a concrete response regarding the reconstruction of the Prado 609 building. Residents have submitted letters to the Government of Havana, the National Assembly, and GAESA, but they have not received formal replies nor have they seen any progress in the construction.
How has this situation affected the former residents of the Prado 609 building?
The situation has severely affected the former residents of the Prado 609 building, who have lost hope of returning to their homes. Many have chosen to emigrate due to the lack of information and progress in the reconstruction. The situation has also caused great frustration among those affected, who feel that they have been forgotten by the authorities.
What other problems have residents of buildings in similar situations faced in Havana?
In Havana, residents of other buildings in similar situations have faced issues such as the danger of collapses and a lack of intervention from the authorities, which has led to precarious and dangerous living conditions. Cases like the one on Compostela Street and the Girón building reflect a widespread housing crisis in the city.
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