Cuba and Dominican Republic grapple with severe waste accumulation crises

In the Cuban municipality of Cruces, an illegal dump on Camilo Cienfuegos street has persisted for almost a year, blocking traffic and exposing roughly 150 residents—including children and a local primary school—to foul odors, rats, cockroaches and disease‑carrying vectors. Activist Lázaro Aguiar Mendoza says municipal hygiene authorities have ignored complaints, noting “the situation worsens each day” and linking the problem to a national oil shortage and the U.S. embargo.

A recent ENHOGAR 2025 survey in the Dominican Republic finds that 39.7% of households suffer from waste accumulation, with the Ozama/Metropolitan region reporting the highest impact at 57.5%. Garbage collection is irregular; many receive service only once a week or less, prompting some residents to burn waste or dump it in open areas, releasing toxic emissions that threaten air quality and public health.