The authorities of Guantánamo reviewed the progress of the installation of housing made from shipping containers to accommodate those affected by Hurricane Óscar, which struck the province in October 2024 and destroyed more than 13,000 homes.
The Secretary of the Communist Party in Guantánamo, Yoel Pérez García, inspected the construction works in the municipality of San Antonio del Sur over the weekend.
A report by National Television showed brief images of the assembly of container houses, which, according to the government, will feature two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. However, they did not specify how many units have been completed or whether they include the promised thermal insulation to mitigate the intense heat of eastern Cuba.
Until the end of September, only 23 out of the 60 containers planned have started to be installed. Apparently, the regime has been unable to meet its goal of completing two modules per day, which is why they have provided little information about the progress of the project.
Container houses designed by the regime spark criticism
Several users pointed out on social media the risks of living in metal structures without proper ventilation in an area with high temperatures and frequent thunderstorms.
The images circulated from the community of Buena Vista reflect a slow pace of work and precarious conditions in the container homes.
State-owned companies in charge, such as Génedis, Muebles Imperio, and Cedai, promise to progress and deliver housing with quality standards. However, many Cubans see this project as just another patch in front of the housing collapse in the country.
The government presents the measure as a "creative and temporary" solution, but residents know they are facing another instance of improvisation amid the crisis that Cuba is experiencing.
Frequently asked questions about container houses in Guantánamo
What are container houses in Guantánamo?
Container houses in Guantánamo are metal structures adapted to serve as temporary housing for those affected by Hurricane Oscar, which destroyed more than 13,000 homes in October 2024. They are made from recycled shipping containers and include two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom.
What is the current status of the container house project?
Until the end of September 2025, only 23 of the 60 planned containers have started to be installed, demonstrating progress that is much slower than expected. The project has not met its goal of completing two modules per day and faces criticism for its work pace and precarious conditions.
What are the main criticisms of container houses in Cuba?
Container homes have been criticized for their lack of proper ventilation and thermal insulation, which can turn them into "inhabitable ovens" in the hot Cuban climate. The criticisms also focus on the haphazardness of the project and the lack of adequate planning, reflecting an insufficient response to the housing crisis in the country.
How do these homes compare to similar projects in other countries?
In other countries, container homes are usually accompanied by habitable standards, including thermal insulation and climate control systems, which are not seen in the Cuban case. The implementation in Cuba lacks the necessary investments to make them comparable to international models, where comfort and sustainability are prioritized.
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