An audiovisual shared on social media by entrepreneur Alexis Oliva Gea showcased the dilapidated state of the old Liceo de Guanabo, located in the municipality of La Habana del Este, and has sparked numerous reactions from Cubans who mourn the destruction of one of the most cherished recreational spaces in the resort.
The filmmaker posted on Facebook a panoramic view of the devastated facilities of the institution, accompanied by a short text under the title: “Liceo de Guanabo: echoes in silence.”
The site, as Oliva described, was an "ancient meeting point for the youth, now turned into a symbol of memory and decay." In a subsequent comment, he added that "today its ruins hold the memory of a generation."
The images depict collapsed structures, walls in advanced disrepair, and overgrown areas that, according to user comments, have been abandoned for over 20 years.
The reactions to the post reveal a mix of nostalgia and discomfort. "It's so sad to see it like this," wrote one user. Another person stated, "Little by little, Guanabo is being destroyed and nothing is being done." Several internet users reminisced about dances, quinceañera rehearsals, sporting events, and live concerts that marked their youth in the venue.
"My gym," commented one forum user, while another pointed directly to the prevailing apathy: "It's sad to see how great dreams are allowed to fade away; where there was once so much fun, only vague memories remain."
Some participants attributed the situation to government neglect, something they believed should be a source of shame for the Island's government. Comments like "everything is destroyed" were added to the post in a context where ruins, collapses, and abandonment fill the daily lives of a population focused on survival.
There were also references to other spaces in the area, such as old clubs and recreation areas, which, according to the comments, no longer exist or are in a similar condition.
The deterioration of the Liceo is part of a broader landscape of reports concerning collapsed infrastructure in the capital. In recent weeks, there have been reports of partial collapses, such as that of the iconic building housing the Instituto Superior de Diseño (ISDi) in Centro Habana.
Citizen testimonies describe the dilapidated state of buildings of homes, educational, cultural, and recreational centers in various provinces.
In the case of Guanabo, the comments agree that the Liceo was for decades a central space for the social life of the beach resort, now reduced practically to rubble.
Located about 27 kilometers east of Havana, Guanabo is one of the main tourist destinations for residents of the Cuban capital.
"What pain, everything is in ruins," summarized an internet user.
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