A video recorded on the main street of Limonar, a municipality in the province of Matanzas, showcases a scene that encapsulates the tragedy of Cuba: the road is completely empty, without a single passerby, under a clear blue sky that contrasts with the desolation of the place.
The recording was published on Facebook by Roberto Ernesto Pérez Pedroza and garnered over 22,000 views and dozens of comments expressing sadness, nostalgia, and complaints about the state of neglect in the town.
The video showcases a building named "Limonar" on its white and maroon facade, featuring the typical column portal of 20th-century Cuban architecture.
"But how empty and sad a street looks where there used to be people walking," lamented several users in the comments, reflecting the widespread sentiment of those who remember a town that once had its own life.
The municipality, officially founded in 1808, was a prosperous sugar-producing enclave in the Matanzas region during the 19th century.
The image of deserted streets is not exclusive to Limonar. Mass emigration has emptied towns and cities throughout Cuba.
The data on the migration crisis is compelling: between 70% and 80% of Cuban emigrants are under 40 years old, which exacerbates the aging population and the abandonment of entire communities.
The migration crisis is compounded by the dire living conditions on the island. In Matanzas, residents have reported power outages lasting more than 30 continuous hours, a situation that wears down the population and accelerates the decision to leave the country.
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