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An island of plastic and organic waste floats beneath the iconic Yayabo Bridge in Sancti Spíritus, even resisting the heavy rains in early April, which increased the river's flow without managing to wash away the waste accumulated among the vegetation of the riverbed.
The newspaper Escambray published a photographic report last Sunday signed by Dileán Sousa that documents the situation: the garbage remains trapped right in the area most frequented by pedestrians and vehicles, in the very heart of the city's colonial zone.
On social media, the reactions have been numerous and especially critical. Several users describe the situation as a "shame" and denounce "such neglect and irresponsibility." Others point out that the problem is not new: "For years, it's been a dumping ground," one comment states, while another warns that "it's been like this for a few years now, and it seems the government doesn't care."
There are also plenty of ironies about the official discourse, with messages like: "Oh, no, sorry, that's Trump's fault, Marco Rubio's fault, and the blockade," in a sarcastic tone. Some citizens even warn of potentially greater consequences, noting that "at any moment the bridge could disappear with a major flood."
Alongside the criticisms, there are concrete proposals: “Easy to solve, 10 dump trucks… and just collect and dispose of everything,” suggests a user, insisting that resources are available, but there is a lack of will. Overall, the comments reflect indignation, fatigue, and a strong critique of the authorities' inaction regarding the deterioration of this iconic space.
The rains in early April flooded several rivers in the province, causing the Yayabo River, one of the natural symbols of Sancti Spíritus, to rise. However, the increase in flow was not enough to clear the buildup of waste that creates a visible island of garbage right near the bridge.
The pollution of the river has direct consequences on the supply of drinking water to the population. In the past, it was reported that the water treatment plant that draws from the river was operating at 35% of its capacity, affecting access to water for thousands of residents in Sancti Spíritus.
The problem is neither new nor unknown to local authorities. In previous years, the environmental authorities of Sancti Spíritus admitted they did not have an effective plan to tackle the pollution of the watercourse, a situation that continues without any structural solution in sight.
Nationally, the official discourse on solid waste has taken a striking turn: a official from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment explored reframing solid waste as an economic opportunity, while communities like Sancti Spíritus continue to cope with garbage accumulating in their rivers and public spaces.
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