Amid a critical shortage of resources and construction machinery, workers in Isla de la Juventud have had to stamp the asphalt poured on a street with their own feet, due to the lack of vibrating rollers to compact the mixture.
The surreal scene, captured in a report by the local telecenter Islavisión, shows men on a street in Nueva Gerona, marching on the asphalt surface instead of using a roller that would eliminate voids and create a dense, durable surface.
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According to local media, the asphalt plant on the Isle of Youth, one of the oldest industries in that territory, was inactive for over a year due to equipment breakdowns and a lack of materials.
During that period, the construction and repair of streets and roads came to a halt. However, after the resumption of activities, they don't even have a cylinder to remove air and increase the pavement's resistance to traffic load and deformation.
Workers are resorting to a manually made mixture to fill the potholes, because "the plant is also not in a condition to produce cold asphalt."
Nonetheless, they assure that the product is of "quality" and predict a long lifespan: "It is a very good quality asphalt because in the end, we are making it by hand, but it has quality and lasts for years. And it’s all about the community taking care of it, and that's it, let's get to work."
In Cuba, there is not enough asphalt to repair the roads that have been destroyed across the country.
Despite allocating 70 million pesos for road maintenance in 2025, this amount is insufficient to reverse the current deterioration. The government's approach has focused on prioritizing tourist areas, neglecting crucial roads for the daily mobility of citizens.
The deterioration of the roads has a direct impact on accident rates, increasing the risk of accidents and the wear and tear on vehicles. Despite a decrease in the number of accidents, fatalities in traffic incidents have risen, underscoring the seriousness of the problem with road infrastructure.
Frequently asked questions about the road and infrastructure crisis in Cuba
How are they repairing the potholes on the Isle of Youth?
Due to the lack of suitable machinery, workers on the Isle of Youth are using their feet to crush the asphalt spread on the streets, owing to the absence of vibratory rollers that compact the mixture efficiently.
Why are there so many poorly maintained roads in Cuba?
Seventy-five percent of the roads and highways in Cuba are in fair or poor condition due to the lack of resources and prioritization of investment for road maintenance. The government prioritizes areas of tourist interest, which leaves important roads for the daily mobility of citizens in disrepair.
What is the impact of poor road conditions on accidents in Cuba?
The poor condition of the roads increases the risk of accidents and vehicle wear. Despite the fact that the number of accidents has decreased, fatalities in traffic accidents have risen, highlighting the severity of the problem with road infrastructure.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to improve road infrastructure?
The Cuban government has allocated 70 million pesos for road maintenance in 2025, but this amount is insufficient to reverse the current deterioration. Moreover, the focus has been on prioritizing tourist areas instead of improving the roads essential for the daily mobility of citizens.
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