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While the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel cynically reminisces about Christmas Eve of 1959, when the dictator Fidel Castro shared a dinner with the charcoal workers of the Ciénaga de Zapata, presenting it as a supposed achievement in eradicating poverty in that region of Matanzas, an activist from Santiago de Cuba found a 75-year-old man "celebrating" Christmas this Tuesday with food scavenged from the trash.
Yasser Sosa Tamayo, an activist from Santiago de Cuba who often helps those in need, shared a heartbreaking story on Facebook that reflects the harsh reality faced by many Cubans.
"Sad Cuban Christmas. A sad Christmas for Pedro Núñez Méndez. It was a harsh night for a man who feeds from the garbage," the narrative began.
Sosa described how, on Christmas Eve, while some families were able to celebrate, he found a 75-year-old man digging through the trash and eating whatever he could find.
"I am getting closer and crying inside; I feel a sharp pain as if my soul is being hammered with a heavy mallet," he recounted.
As he got closer, he realized that the elderly man lives alone, has no children, and spends days without eating or subsisting on garbage.
"I can't stand the hunger any longer, nephew," the old man said, a phrase that, according to Sosa, broke his soul.
The activist not only offered help at that moment, but also invited him to a Christmas dinner organized for those in need: “My soul felt heavy as I wrote these sad words,” he concluded his post.
The story of Pedro Núñez Méndez reflects the extreme hardships faced by many Cubans, sharply contrasting with the official narratives of prosperity and well-being in the country.
Recently, Sosa made an appeal for solidarity, highlighting the harsh reality of the elderly who, in extreme poverty, wander the streets and survive in neglect.
The activist shared on Facebook a gallery of images that reveals the harsh reality of abandoned elderly individuals, without homes or pensions, accompanied only by the faded memories of lives that once had meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions about Poverty and the Situation of the Elderly in Cuba
How do the elderly live in Santiago de Cuba?
Elderly people in Santiago de Cuba face conditions of extreme poverty; many of them survive without homes, without pensions, and rely on charity to get by. The lack of attention from the Cuban government has led activists, such as Yasser Sosa Tamayo, to raise awareness of their situation and provide supportive assistance.
What actions does Yasser Sosa Tamayo take to help those in need in Cuba?
Yasser Sosa Tamayo is an activist dedicated to helping people living in extreme poverty in Santiago de Cuba. He distributes clothing, shoes, and food to the most vulnerable, including the elderly and children, bringing attention to the harsh reality they face under the Cuban regime.
What is the reality of extreme poverty in Cuba according to recent reports?
The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights has highlighted that 89% of Cuban families live in extreme poverty. This situation has worsened, resulting in many people, including children and the elderly, facing food insecurity and lacking basic resources due to the government's failure to take effective action.
What measures has the Cuban government implemented to address begging?
The Cuban government has approved a plan to remove beggars from the streets, assigning the responsibility of their care and oversight to the Municipal Administration Councils. However, the effectiveness of these measures is questionable, as extreme poverty continues to rise and vulnerable individuals do not receive the necessary support.
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