Workers repair a street near the Capitol in Havana, Cuba, on Thursday. — AFP
Hundreds of workers have been scrambling for days to touch up building facades, patch potholes and spiff up Havana’s monuments ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit. A number of the capital’s main avenues have been given a fresh paving — including the landmark Malecon seawall avenue which runs by the US Embassy — to look its best for the guest.
Mr Obama next week will become the first US President to visit Cuba while in office in almost a century.
On other roads, cleaning has been done and road signs updated, particularly in Spanish-colonial era Old Havana. “It’s all just fine. Just wish they would do it all more often,” joked a taxi driver, Pedro, referring to the pothole fixes.
Cuba’s capital has recently undergone a huge renovation project. And in the Cerro neighborhood, the fabled Estadio Latinoameri-cano — set to host a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cuba’s national squad — also has been remodeled.
Once Mr Obama heads out, the Rolling Stones will roll in with a massive benefit show in Cerro.
