Cuban President Díaz‑Canel tours Havana districts on water and energy challenges

President Miguel Díaz‑Canel, who also heads Cuba’s Council of Defense, visited several Havana districts—including La Habana Vieja, Arroyo Naranjo, La Lisa and Habana del Este’s Alamar‑Playa area—to assess critical services such as water supply, electricity generation, solid‑waste collection and health promotion. He met local officials and residents, stressed the need for swift solutions for vulnerable groups, and reiterated that “defense of the nation is the safest way to preserve peace.”

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz and Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa also toured the La Güinera zone of Arroyo Naranjo, emphasizing food‑production and water‑supply issues. Their appearance sparked public criticism over their apparent obesity and perceived disconnect from the severe water crisis affecting more than half a million Havana residents and the broader food shortages the government has acknowledged.

In a separate meeting, President Díaz‑Canel met with interior‑ministry scientists and researchers to promote the application of knowledge, energy‑saving technologies and artificial‑intelligence tools to improve public services such as ID‑card issuance, visa processing and other civil‑administrative functions.