A Cuban humorously highlights the potholes and ditches of Havana and goes viral



Potholes on Finlay Road, Los Pinos neighborhood, Arroyo Naranjo municipalityPhoto © Instagram video capture / despingovery_channel

A video posted on Instagram by the user Despingovery Channel has gone viral as it humorously showcases the deplorable condition of various streets in Havana, filled with potholes, ditches, and large puddles that turn the city into a veritable minefield for pedestrians and drivers.

The protagonist, Eddie Ceballos, travels by motorcycle and on foot through areas of Calzada de Finlay, in the Los Pinos neighborhood, Arroyo Naranjo municipality, and documents with irony what he describes as "the Everglades of Los Pinos."

In the images, Ceballos presents himself as if he were on an exploration show: "Today, on Pothole Hunters on Despingovery Channel, we are at Finlay Boulevard. We've named this place the Everglades of Los Pinos," he says as he zooms in on a dark puddle from which "bubbles are emerging," joking, "What could be inside? A mother pit supplying a pothole ecosystem."

Wearing rubber boots and armed with a pole to measure the depth, he steps into the water and demonstrates that the hole "goes above the ankle," providing an idea of the real danger posed by these hidden potholes.

The tone is humorous, but the message is clear: the capital is filled with craters that hinder traffic, damage vehicles, and jeopardize the physical safety of people.

In the video itself, the creator warns: "One of the most dangerous places in all of Sapingolandia and Apagonía."

Although said in jest, the scene illustrates a serious and everyday problem for thousands of Havana residents.

On screen, the text appears: "We are already at the breakdown of Finlay Street, in Los Pinos," a phrase that encapsulates the public sentiment regarding urban decay.

The video combines denunciation and satire, a very Cuban style that allows for discussing harsh realities without losing cleverness.

However, behind this lies a direct criticism of the lack of maintenance and the institutional neglect regarding a problem that has been growing for years.

Potholes, open trenches, and uncovered manholes are not just minor inconveniences: they have caused falls, traffic accidents, and, in some cases, fatal consequences.

The road infrastructure is not maintained with the regularity or seriousness that a city of over two million inhabitants demands. Meanwhile, citizens are forced to improvise solutions and dodge dangers that should not exist under normal conditions.

Eddie Ceballos, who often shares this type of content on his social media, has found a creative way to show what the government prefers to ignore.

His "Pothole Hunters" is not just a comedic sketch; it is a portrait of urban neglect.

The success of the video reveals that people see themselves in those images and that humor, as they navigate daily among potholes, puddles, and broken streets.

The viral nature of the clip confirms something else: when authorities do not provide effective answers, citizens end up using social media to highlight basic problems that remain unresolved.

Amidst laughter, rain boots, and sticks to measure the depth of a puddle, an uncomfortable reality is laid bare: the capital is full of potholes, not by chance, but due to the lack of responsible and sustained management of public space.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.