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 swimming ban.
A video posted on Facebook by content creator Andando con Jeny depicts the scene with a straightforward phrase: "We did something forbidden in Cuba."
In the clip, the author describes how the seaside promenade has transformed into a space for daily survival: "The Havana waterfront has become one of the few recreational spaces accessible to thousands of Cubans, especially during these vacation months and the hottest time of the year."
The backdrop is the crisis facing the island in 2026. Power outages in Havana have stretched to over 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 sweltering heat, and after the nationwide blackout on July 6, hundreds of people from Havana took refuge there to try to spend the night away from 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.
For decades, authorities have enforced restrictions on swimming in various areas of the Malecón, citing risks from waves, ocean currents, rocky bottoms, as well as contamination from hydrocarbons, sewage, and industrial waste.
This summer, a police deployment was reported along the Malecón against young people who were swimming in the coastline. The dangers are real, and the background is serious.
In March 2025, authorities searched for a missing minor 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 on the Malecón was reported, which neighbors linked to the crisis. Despite everything, desperation drives more Cubans to ignore the restrictions in the area.
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