Toxic smoke from burning garbage dumps in central Havana flooded entire neighborhoods on February 22, 2026, between 11:15 AM and 2:15 PM UTC, trapping residents indoors. Yorni Cabrera reported on social media being confined inside his house amid a thick mass of toxic smoke, according to a post shared by MagJorgeCastro on X. In a separate development during the same three-hour period, former U.S. diplomat Mike Hammer stated in an ABC interview that 2026 will bring a historic change in Cuba. Hammer said, “In 2026 we are going to see a historic change in Cuba. Within the Cuban system there are individuals who realize that the project is already ending and who may be interested in making a change that they see is necessary,” as quoted by MagJorgeCastro on X. The toxic smoke incident stems from garbage dumps located in the middle of the city, with warnings marked by alarm emojis in the social media report highlighting the immediate health risks to residents.
