A resident from Matanzas reported that the accumulation of trash in front of her home prevented her from leaving for work, highlighting the worsening waste collection service in the city.
In a video shared on Facebook on Thursday, Ana Julia Rodríguez showed how garbage had nearly blocked her entire entrance. The footage reveals neighbors having to move refuse away from a staircase to access their homes.
When the idea of burning the waste was suggested, Rodríguez dismissed it due to the smoke's aftereffects. "It's worse because the smoke chokes us for days; everything's damp, it's been raining," she stated.
The post also captured complaints from other residents facing similar issues. "I have the same struggle to get my car out. No one cares," noted one neighbor, while another sarcastically remarked on the increase of pests, saying: "Lovely, rats and mosquitoes."
This incident is part of an ongoing garbage collection crisis that has plagued Matanzas for months, worsening recently despite numerous public grievances and the authorities' acknowledgment of the challenges.
As of May, the Municipal Communal Services Company operated with just 11 of its 24 garbage trucks, receiving only between 300 and 550 liters of diesel daily, far short of the over 2,700 liters needed to cover all routes. This fuel shortage is compounded by a staff deficit exceeding 39%. Of the available 1,525 positions, only about 930 are filled.
At that time, municipal mayor Michel León Rodríguez confessed on TV Yumurí that the authorities owed a debt to the city. "We owe a debt to the city," he acknowledged.
Improvised dumps have obstructed streets and corners across Matanzas. In April, waste accumulation blocked the Levante and Solís intersection, with residents experiencing nearly a month without regular collection.
In August, rains swept garbage into the San Juan and Yumurí rivers and Matanzas Bay. By early October, another dump was reported, stretching over 100 continuous meters on Mujica Street in the city center.
The decline in sanitation has also raised health concerns. Residents have reported infestations of bedbugs, rodents, flies, and cockroaches inside their homes.
Additionally, outbreaks of hepatitis A and dengue linked to the poor sanitary conditions have been reported, while over 300,000 Matanzas residents struggle with stable access to drinking water.
In May, the official newspaper Girón warned about the severity of the situation, emphasizing that "what is at stake is no longer just the image of Matanzas but the health and future of its inhabitants."
Understanding the Waste Management Crisis in Matanzas
What caused the waste management crisis in Matanzas?
The crisis is attributed to a combination of insufficient garbage trucks, inadequate fuel supplies, and a significant staff shortage.
How are residents affected by the garbage accumulation?
Residents are facing blocked entrances, increased pest infestations, and potential health risks from diseases like hepatitis A and dengue.
What actions have been taken by the authorities?
Despite public acknowledgment of the issues, there has been little improvement, with ongoing fuel shortages and a lack of adequate staffing.