Six years have passed since the “rehabilitation” of the José Martí Anti-Imperialist Platform in Havana began, and now the government is touting the installation of a dove sculpture as an achievement. This appears to be the first of several, despite a history marred by technical blunders, budgetary waste, and decisions that have compromised what little remained of the original design. Liván Izquierdo Alonso, the first secretary of the Communist Party in Havana, made the announcement on his X account, accompanied by images of the new embellishment at the site, known locally as the “Protestódromo,” situated across from the U.S. Embassy.
Instead of instilling pride, the announcement rekindled criticism of a project that has seen numerous demolitions and reconstructions since May 2019, with no tangible progress beyond symbolic decorations like this new dove. Cuban architect Yulieta Hernández expressed her alarm on Facebook about the repeated cycles of construction and demolition, highlighting the lack of control and technical rigor.
Hernández pointed out examples such as an “immense” star that failed to meet project specifications and ended up at Cubiza in Vía Blanca, and how its replacement also did not align with its supporting columns, requiring adjustments. She noted the poor-quality concrete used, which does not meet current technical standards and is vulnerable to corrosion due to its proximity to the sea, leading to further interventions and expenses.
She also mentioned the failure of flagpoles and steel arches to withstand corrosion. “Were these project errors, supply issues, or execution faults?” she questioned, reflecting on last year’s government-approved intervention. “Is it the same as the 2019 project that remains unfinished?” wondered Hernández, who also leads the private microenterprise Pilares Construcciones.
According to Hernández, “Last week, it was the trees that couldn’t adapt to the harsh coastal climate of the Malecón. Cranes, workers, trucks, salaries, fuel… A few months ago, the planters and floors were demolished and rebuilt once more, again lacking quality. They’ll last as long as a cementless concrete by the sea.” Questions abound: “Who is accountable for the negligence and squandered budget?” her post concluded, sparking a flurry of comments.
“They’ve ruined even the ‘Protestódromo.’ These people need to stop. Six years to destroy that, and 66 to ruin a country,” wrote one user. Others described the project as “just another way to waste what little we have,” pointing out that hospitals and housing remain in disrepair while resources are squandered on a site with no tangible use.
“They don’t answer for the destruction of the sugar industry, the electrical system, or agriculture… meanwhile, Liborio pays,” stated another, highlighting the impunity in managing public funds. “So many buildings are collapsing, and they’re wasting materials to wage a little war against the embassy,” a user complained. “This is a monument to incompetence and mediocrity.”
Corruption allegations multiplied as well. “This constant, pointless rebuilding only serves one purpose: theft, corruption, robbery,” one netizen affirmed. “Each project is more atrocious than the last,” lamented another, mourning the loss of the park with water and a bridge that once existed there.
“Madness and stupidity at their peak, and no medicine to treat them,” summarized another comment, while someone quipped, “The ‘Americans’ must be laughing, wondering how a starving country can spend so much on a useless plaza.”
In May, it emerged that the Anti-Imperialist Platform, a showcase of official discourse during the Battle of Ideas, was renting out spaces for parties, meetings, fairs, and events of all kinds for up to 28,000 pesos per day. A few hours later, the official portal Cubadebate, which had published the information as “sponsored content” (advertising), removed the announcement from the website.
The silent withdrawal of the publication sparked a wave of reactions on social media, where citizens, activists, and intellectuals questioned the lack of transparency and consistency in the official discourse, raising further questions about whether the Cuban regime backtracked or attempted to discreetly reformulate the proposal.
The announcement of renting spaces at the Anti-Imperialist Platform triggered a wave of memes and criticism on social media, highlighting the contradiction between its ideological use and the country’s current economic needs.
The José Martí Anti-Imperialist Platform was one of the many grandiose ideas of dictator Fidel Castro, involving a significant expenditure of material resources and labor hours. Construction began on January 15, 2000, and was completed in 80 consecutive days of work, involving 1,988 workers, technicians, architects, and engineers from various provinces.
The site’s location was chosen due to its proximity to the former U.S. Interests Section building in Havana (USINT). Since its inauguration, it has hosted protests against U.S. government policies and, in recent years, performances by various musical groups, both Cuban and international.
In 2019, the site underwent demolition to redesign and replace several elements damaged by sea salt, like the flagpoles that formed a “forest” (Monte de las Banderas), which obscured the view of LED screens in the Interests Office that displayed messages supporting human rights.
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