Several elderly people were seen sleeping in doorways and on sidewalks in the historic center of Santiago de Cuba, in their desperate attempt to cash their pension checks amid a deep cash crisis and the collapse of the banking system on the island.
The images, shared on Instagram by independent reporter Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, showed elderly people lying on the ground of Enramadas street, just a few meters from iconic establishments such as La Bodeguita del Medio and Parque Céspedes.
In some shots, long waits can also be seen near ATMs located at the corners of Enramada with Corona and Padre Pico.
This phenomenon is not isolated. For months now, CiberCuba has documented how thousands of retirees across the country are forced to wait in line early in the morning just to collect a pension that, in many cases (over 39%), does not exceed 1,528 CUP monthly.
The lack of cash in ATMs and the malfunctioning of the banking system imposed by the government have worsened an already critical situation.
Although the president of the Central Bank of Cuba has stated that "there is money", testimonies collected by this outlet reveal the opposite: ATMs out of service, long lines, scalpers profiting from the chaos, and retirees forced to sleep in public spaces, risking their health and safety.
In Santiago de Cuba, where huge lines had already been reported in front of ATMs in August 2024, the situation seems to have worsened over the months. The scarcity of cash is compounded by the decline in services for the elderly, out-of-control inflation, and the lack of effective responses from local authorities.
The images being shared are an alarming reflection of the state abandonment of the most vulnerable sectors, while the government maintains a triumphant discourse detached from the daily reality of millions of Cubans.
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