A YouTuber showcased the harsh reality that residents of Havana face while walking through their dangerous city in a deplorable state of construction.
"It is dangerous to walk around Havana, not because of crime itself, but due to the condition of the buildings. This is especially true in areas like Old Havana, where there are places that have not been restored at all, and living among rubble and garbage is the everyday reality," commented on Instagram The Spartan Vlog.
The YouTuber, residing in Spain, with over 400 thousand followers and who promises to provide a view of "real Cuba without taboos," focused this time on the deteriorating capital.
"There is a lot of heritage that is lost. It only takes a little rain for the glorious past of Cuba to come crumbling down. And for the future to become shaky," you can hear him say in a clip from one of his videos while walking through Old Havana.
In Centro Habana, this YouTuber highlighted the terrible reality faced by residents who must stay alert because "after the rain, the collapses begin."
"Everyone is concerned about the crisis in Cuba; the streets of Havana are not what they used to be, and it has become dangerous to walk without looking in all directions," he said while showing the post-apocalyptic images of the Havana neighborhood.
Landslides in Havana
The collapse of buildings in Havana is a recurring problem, exacerbated by a lack of maintenance and the aging infrastructure.
It is estimated that the city records at least 1,000 partial or total collapses each year. Some of the most recent incidents have occurred in Centro Habana, one of the municipalities most affected by the precariousness of housing.
In November 2024, during the passage of Hurricane Rafael, more than 460 collapses, both partial and total, were recorded in the Cuban capital while the city experienced a total blackout.
Recently, a building collapse in Old Havana left two injured, highlighting years of ignored warnings about the building's deterioration.
Without offering them a solution for the critical state of the site, the authorities who arrived in the area after the disaster asked the residents to "calm down," despite the fact that they have been warning about the danger they live in for years.
Frequently asked questions about urban decay and dangers in Havana
What is the main concern when walking in Havana?
The main danger when walking in Havana is the condition of the buildings, which are at risk of collapsing. The deterioration of the infrastructure and the lack of maintenance have led to a critical situation in the city, especially in areas such as Old Havana and Central Havana, where collapses are frequent after rainfall.
How many collapses are recorded annually in Havana?
In Havana, at least 1,000 partial or total collapses are recorded each year, according to estimates. This situation is particularly serious in municipalities like Centro Habana, where buildings are in precarious conditions and the infrastructure continues to age without receiving the necessary maintenance.
How does the accumulation of garbage affect life in Havana?
The accumulated garbage in the streets of Havana creates serious health hazards and hinders mobility. This issue reflects the lack of waste management by the government, affecting not only local residents but also the city's tourist image.
What actions have the Cuban authorities taken to address housing deterioration?
Cuban authorities have promised to work on improving infrastructure, but concrete actions have been limited and have not succeeded in addressing the underlying problem. The government's Housing Plan met only 39% of its goal in 2024, reflecting a lack of resources and a crisis in infrastructure.
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