Cuban elderly man survives in subhuman conditions in Granma

The situation of Juan, an elderly Cuban who resides in the town of La Gloria, in the Municipality of Campechuela, Granma, is a tragic testimony of the harsh reality that many of the most vulnerable citizens in Cuba face.

Internet user Irma Broek reported on Facebook that Juan lives in subhuman conditions: he sleeps on palm leaves in a shack that is at risk of collapsing at any moment; the floor of his home is made of dirt, and he lacks basic furniture and utensils; malnutrition is evident in his thin and weakened body, a reflection of an almost nonexistent diet.

She added that despite living in such conditions, she has not received the support she deserves, as several requests to enter a nursing home have been systematically denied by the government, the woman pointed out.

"Where are the authorities, isn't this gentleman a case of vulnerability and in need of social assistance?" questioned.

Juan's situation is not an isolated case. Numerous reports and testimonies have revealed similar stories across the island, where elderly people and individuals living in extreme poverty survive in deplorable conditions.

Several internet users have reacted to the images and stated that Cuba, which was once seen as a bastion of hope and social justice, has become a concentration camp for many of its inhabitants.

"It's like those who were in Nazi concentration camps. Cuba violating Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: 'No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.' And then Mr. Canel says that there is more democracy in Cuba than in the U.S., such tremendous shamelessness and cynicism from that man," he stated.

The vast majority of the elderly and retirees in Cuba are malnourished. Those who do not have a family member, friend, or neighbor to help them are at risk of dying from malnutrition and illness because if they cannot afford to buy food, they are even less likely to acquire medications or cover the cost of transportation to hospitals. In short, they are completely abandoned," another internet user pointed out.

Cuba is currently the poorest country in Latin America, as indicated last year by the firm DatoWorld, a renowned international electoral observatory.

In 2023, the country had a 72% poverty rate, which has been increasing. This alarming number placed it at the forefront of countries in the Latin American region, excluding Haiti, which was not included in the survey.