From our Bureau of Socialist Compassion and Social Justice
This man’s hovel should be a required stop in every bus tour of Havana. Granted, his crumbling home is only one of millions in similar condition, but it’s just a flew blocks from the Plaza of the Revolution, a “must-see” destination for all tourists. It wouldn’t slow down the tour all that much.
His situation would give every tourist a chance to see for themselves how socialism works. This man has been trained to depend entirely on a government that owns everything but is only interested in staying in power rather than serving its people.
Loosely translated from CubaNet
“Everything gets soaked here; I’ve lost everything—my furniture, my belongings—and there’s no one to help me,” denounced Juan Osmani Paula Suárez, a Cuban man whose home is falling apart due to its deplorable structural condition. He can no longer seek shelter under his own roof.
The property in question is located at 6 Almendares Street, between Santa María and Santa Teresa, in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality.
Most of the roof has gradually collapsed, and despite the danger, authorities have ignored Paula Suárez’s pleas for help.
“I’ve been asking the government for help for more than seven years. I’ve gone to the housing office (Municipal Housing Directorate), the Council of State (public grievance offices), and everyone involved, but no one helps me,” he stated.
Images captured by CubaNet cameras show the terrible structural state of Paula Suárez’s home and the imminent risk to his life if he remains there, as the roof could collapse at any moment.
“I don’t know where else to go for help with this situation. What are they waiting for? When it falls on top of me, it’ll be too late for a solution. Once I’m dead, I won’t need a solution anymore,” he said.
He explained that rain leaks have destroyed most of his possessions, making his life even harder since he cannot replace them due to the country’s inflation crisis.
“I’ve lost my furniture, my TV—everything. I’ve lost everything. And soon, I might lose my life too if they don’t help me, because this place is falling apart piece by piece,” he emphasized.
Paula Suárez also recounted sleepless nights caused by the rain: “It rains more inside than outside here. It’s not easy to sit in a corner of the house waiting for the rain to stop so I can sleep. I get wet, and I’m exhausted—I can’t take this anymore.”
An increasing number of Cubans are denouncing on social media or to independent news outlets that they live in fear of being buried alive by the collapse of their homes.
Meteorological phenomena bringing heavy rains and strong winds have become a nightmare for any Cuban living in poorly maintained homes, compounded by the indifference and inaction of the regime.
Is he of any use or profit to the “revolution”? No? Then he might as well not exist, and in effect, he doesn’t.