The Malecón of Havana has become one of the few accessible refuges for thousands of Cubans fleeing the extreme heat and prolonged blackouts, and more and more people are diving into its waters despite the ban on swimming.
A video posted on Facebook by content creator Andando con Jeny captures the scene with a straightforward phrase: "We did something forbidden in Cuba."
In the clip, the author describes how the promenade has transformed into a space of everyday survival: "The Havana seafront has become one of the few accessible recreational spaces for thousands of Cubans, especially during these holiday months and the hottest times of the year."
The backdrop is the crisis facing the island in 2026. Blackouts in Havana have stretched to more than 20 hours a day, leaving homes without fans or air conditioning in the middle of summer.
Without running water in many neighborhoods and lacking money for paid leisure options, entire families gather at the wall to socialize, cool off, or, as the creator herself points out, "simply escape for a few hours from the difficult daily conditions."
The phenomenon is not limited to the bathroom. On August 4, it was reported that Cubans were sleeping on the Malecón to escape the oppressive heat, and after the national blackout on July 6, hundreds of Havana residents sought refuge there to try to spend the night outside their homes.
In June, it was also reported how several Cubans were bathing and cooking in a park in front of the Malecón due to a lack of water and electricity.
The authorities have maintained restrictions on swimming in several areas of the Malecón for decades, citing risks related to wave conditions, ocean currents, rocky bottoms, as well as contamination from hydrocarbons, sewage, and industrial waste.
This summer, a police deployment was reported on the Malecón against young people swimming in the waterfront. The dangers are real, and the past incidents are serious.
In March 2025, authorities searched for a missing child in the waters of the Malecón and warned that "it is not a suitable place for swimming." The body was found days later.
In July 2026, the death of a person at the Malecón was reported, which neighbors attributed to the crisis. Despite everything, desperation is driving more Cubans to ignore the restrictions in the area.
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