Infrastructure crisis hits Camagüey and Holguín in Cuba

Residents in the Cuban cities of Camagüey and Holguín are facing severe public health and infrastructure challenges due to failing waste and sewage systems.

In Camagüey, sewage flooding has plagued neighborhoods like Prieto, La Marina, and Saratoga for several years. Heavy rainfall frequently turns streets into lakes due to clogged systems, and residents have reported foul-smelling, opaque water, raising concerns about drinking water contamination. Data from the 2023 Provincial Statistical Yearbook indicates that only 27.2% of Camagüey's population is connected to sewage systems, leaving the majority reliant on septic tanks.

In Holguín, uncontrolled accumulations of garbage, including plastic, organic waste, and debris, have obstructed streets such as Manuel Dositeo Aguilera. These waste piles are encroaching on food stalls and residential areas near the Vladimir Ilich Lenin General University Hospital. Locals report that public spaces, including children's parks, have also become dumping grounds, reflecting a broader decline in municipal waste management services.