The images captured by the user @cubaactual on TikTok have gone viral for depicting the harsh reality of life on the streets of Havana today.
The videos, recorded in various areas of the city center, display scenes of neglect, accumulated waste, and crumbling buildings that reflect the collapse of public services and urban decay in Cuba.
On iconic streets like Belascoaín, in Centro Habana, the doorways reveal cracked columns, peeling facades, and piles of debris that residents must navigate around every day.
In the corners, trash accumulates for days without local authorities managing to remove it, creating an unhealthy and dangerous environment for residents.
The video also shows overgrown lots, rusted signs, crumbling old facades, and makeshift markets where Cubans try to sell the little they have: used shoes, recycled parts, and second-hand household items. A poignant snapshot of daily survival amid scarcity.
In some scenes, children play near piles of waste while adults rummage through the trash in search of something useful. The images contrast with the official narratives of the Cuban regime, which claims to work for “the cleanliness and beautification of the capital.” The reality, however, reveals the opposite: a city left to its fate.
The comments on the video reflect the feelings of many Cubans inside and outside the country. “My God, put your hand and help us lift up our island, so that we can be better than we once were: free, prosperous, with health, food, homes, and education,” wrote a user.
Another comment laments: "How sad to see such a beautiful country in ruins. God, put Your hand." A third person sums up the general sentiment: "What sadness."
Havana, once considered "the pearl of the Caribbean," now survives among garbage, ruins, and despair. It stands as a symbol of the deep economic, social, and human deterioration that Cuba is experiencing.
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