Child sells avocados in Santiago de Cuba to help with the family economy.

A Cuban boy, about 10 years old, makes a living selling avocados in Santiago de Cuba to help his family survive.

The independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada brought to light a case that moves the people of Santiago. The young boy is in primary school and was seen selling avocados on Santa Rita street, between Barracones and Callejón Santiago, in the heart of the city.

The child was offering the avocados for 40 pesos in national currency, an image that reflects the difficult situation faced by many Cuban families.

A follower of Mayeta captured the moment in some photos and decided to help the child by symbolically buying him five avocados.

"I wasn't going to buy anything from him because I have avocados, but I gave him the five-dollar bill because seeing him broke my heart," confessed the young man who made the gesture of solidarity.

The scene has shocked those who are aware of the economic reality of Cuba, where more and more children, instead of being in their schools or enjoying their childhood, are forced to go out into the streets to help with the family economy.

Many of these minors, sometimes without their parents' knowledge or consent, look for ways to contribute to the household, pushing wheelbarrows or selling goods under the sun.

Yosmany Mayeta requested in his message that parents not be blamed for this situation with minors, as each case has different characteristics and is marked by complex family histories. In his view, the increase in extreme poverty due to the government's misguided policies is the root of this social problem.

The high prices of basic products such as food, hygiene items, or clothing and shoes have left many families at a crossroads, where even with sacrifice, they are unable to provide their children with what they need.

Finally, the journalist called on the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) present in Cuba to seek solutions that prevent children from dropping out of school to work.

"I will never ask for money to help a child, but I urge NGOs to act. We need to stop child labor in Cuba," he concluded.

This case recalls another report of child labor in Cuba published recently. It is about a boy in Camagüey who was forced to sell tamales to help his family, as his mother left the country and his father will soon do the same. Only his grandmother takes care of him.

The increase of child labor in Cuba is an alarming problem that continues to worsen. The promises to eradicate this scourge, made by the government decades ago, seem to have evaporated, while the reality of the country forces many minors to seek ways to survive.