Havana: The Deteriorating Face of a Nation in Polycrisis

A haunting photo gallery captures the regression of Havana in 2026, showing a city defined by crumbling architecture, chronic blackouts, and systemic neglect.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 6:28 AM EDT

Source: CubaNet

The Symbolism of Regression

The report opens with a striking image of a man on horseback navigating the streets of Jesús María in Old Havana. This scene is framed not as a tourist attraction, but as a functional necessity in a city where transportation and modern infrastructure have largely failed. Journalists describe this as a "regression" rather than mere stagnation, suggesting that the city is moving backward in time as its resources vanish.

Urban Architecture in Collapse

The visual documentation focuses heavily on the "ruined" state of the city's building stock. Decades of institutional neglect have resulted in:

Structural Failures: Frequent building collapses and facades held up by improvised scaffolding.

Neglected Landmarks: Even historic districts are shown with crumbling masonry and precarious balconies that pose a daily threat to pedestrians.