Cuba’s Waste Crisis Deepens as U.S. Fuel Blockade Halts Garbage Collection
In several Havana neighborhoods, residents report that garbage trucks have not arrived for days. Decomposing waste, exposed to tropical heat is attracting insects and rodents, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Cuban authorities say limited fuel supplies have forced strict rationing, prioritizing hospitals and electricity generation over rou
tine services such as waste collection. The shortage follows tightened U.S. sanctions that Havana argues have restricted access to fuel imports, while Washington maintains the measures are aimed at political pressure. Health experts warn that prolonged waste accumulation could strain an already stretched healthcare system. As economic challenges persist, many residents say their immediate concern is simple, restoring basic sanitation and keeping their communities safe. Source: Reuters