A video posted on TikTok by the Cuban user identified as Reinier Cruz has once again spotlighted the deep crisis facing the rural communities of Cuba. This time, the footage shows Bejucal, in the province of Mayabeque, nearly deserted in the midst of 2026.
"What you see in front of you is what remains of the old pharmacy in Bejucal, a beautiful building that is now in ruins, like so many others across the country," the young man recounts as he focuses on the deteriorated facade of the property, visibly impacted by neglect and lack of maintenance.
During the journey, the streets seem empty, with barely any traffic of people or vehicles. The creator of the video describes the atmosphere as that of a "ghost town" and asserts that the desolation is widespread. "There is a terrible desolation that I never thought I would see in Cuba," he states.
The testimony directly links the situation to the fuel crisis affecting the country. As explained, the shortage of fuel has halted transportation and exacerbated the prolonged blackouts. "There is no fuel, and as a result, there is also no electricity, leaving uncertainty to roam the streets," he points out.
The lack of electricity adds to the intense heat, which —according to the video's author— further discourages the presence of people in public spaces. “Who is going to go outside like this?” he questions while showing nearly empty avenues in broad daylight.
Bejucal, founded in 1713 and located about an hour from Havana, is one of the oldest municipalities in the region. The content creator recalls that historically it was a small but populated town. However, in the current images, silence, dilapidated buildings, and a noticeable absence of visible commercial activity prevail.
The young man argues that the situation in Bejucal is not an isolated case. "If you were wondering what a town in Cuba looks like, well, right now any part of the island looks like this," he states, suggesting that the economic and energy crisis has broadly impacted entire communities.
The scenes shared on social media reflect the deterioration of urban infrastructure, the lack of maintenance in historic buildings, and the direct impact that the scarcity of resources has on the daily lives of Cubans.
Amid blackouts, transportation difficulties, and high temperatures, daily routines in many municipalities across the country have been profoundly disrupted, leaving images of empty streets that contrast sharply with the social life that has characterized these towns for decades.
The video has generated multiple reactions on social media, where users both on and off the island are commenting on the seriousness of the situation and sharing similar experiences from other areas of the country.
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