A video recorded in the dead of night in Havana is becoming popular on social media, showcasing a scene that many Cubans now describe as routine: completely deserted streets, a total absence of cars, and sidewalks overflowing with trash.
The footage, shared on TikTok by the account @cubaactual, was recorded around 11:30 PM in the Infanta area, one of the traditionally busiest streets in the Cuban capital. However, the video shows not a single vehicle on the road or any people walking by.
"One-thirty at night and it seems there’s a virus in Havana; the streets are deserted. This is Infanta, and there isn’t a single car around here, it’s completely empty… it’s unbelievable," comments the man recording the footage, clearly astonished by the absolute silence.
The author of the video insists that, after a certain hour, the city practically shuts down. “This is to show you how things are. People don't go out onto the streets after nine at night. Look at that. This is how Havana is at night,” he says while walking down the empty avenue.
In addition to neglect and lack of activity, the video and photos reveal another persistent issue: the accumulation of trash on the sidewalks. Cardboard boxes, garbage bags, and food leftovers pile up next to buildings, even in central areas, reinforcing the image of urban decay.
In the comments on the video, numerous users agree that this situation is not an isolated incident. Many point to the causes being the transportation crisis, fuel shortages, lack of public lighting, and fear of crime—factors that drive people in Havana to stay home early.
Havana, which for decades was known for its nightlife and lively streets, today presents a very different face when night falls: silence, dirt, and a city practically paralyzed, reflecting the profound crisis the country is experiencing.
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