Havana faces a severe sanitation crisis as a fuel blockade has paralyzed waste collection. Rubbish piles now stretch half a block in some neighborhoods, with residents burning trash to clear space. This collapse stems from a lack of gasoline to run trucks, leaving only 44 of 106 sanitation trucks operational across the capital.

U.S. sanctions and a cutoff of oil from Venezuela, the country's largest supplier, accelerated the decline. This pressure limits the state's ability to purchase equipment or maintain infrastructure. While the government blames the embargo, critics point to a centralized economy and a shortage of bins, as the city has only 10,000 of the 30,000 containers needed.

Public health risks are mounting as stagnant water and filth attract disease-carrying vermin. Health experts warn of spikes in dengue and chikungunya, while the government has deployed soldiers to fill gaps in the workforce. These workers are often idle employees from other state sectors who lack fuel for their own original jobs.

Inefficiency persists despite a 2019 donation of 100 Japanese trucks, many of which are already broken. The state-owned steel company aims to produce 40 new trucks to address the shortage. This failure reflects a broader struggle to provide basic services under a crippled state economy.