In a country where the elderly are one of the most vulnerable and unprotected sectors by the system, with state pensions insufficient to cover even basic needs, many older adults are compelled to work or "struggle" to survive.
However, far from providing support or understanding, the Cuban regime represses even those who, in their old age, are trying to make a living with whatever little they can.
It is the case of an elderly woman who was arrested by the police on Wednesday in El Curita Park, in Havana, for selling soft drinks.
The incident was captured in a video published by the independent portal CubaNet, which shows the exact moment when agents of the National Revolutionary Police arrest the woman and confiscate the products she was selling.
"You have to treat me as an adult. I could be your grandmother. Do you think I can feel good about that?" the elderly woman reproached one of the agents as she was being subdued in front of witnesses at the scene.
Several witnesses reported the injustice of the situation: “What you see there is an injustice. What more can I say?” declared a man who was observing the proceedings.
"She sells soda, pens," added a woman who confirmed that the elderly woman made a living selling basic goods.
Another witness was more emphatic: "They confiscate everything from you and then fine you 24,000 pesos, even if you're 80 years old. There's no consideration for anything here. The State doesn't give you anything, not even food, and we're surviving on the little we buy from the small and medium enterprises. Because this isn't stolen, so we can't sell either," he denounced with indignation.
"The guard was mistreating her, yanking her things away, throwing a fit... Her phone fell and he just kept on mistreating her. They're taking everything away from that old lady, who's over 80 and survives on that," the same person lamented.
The video has sparked numerous reactions on social media, where many users have condemned the inhumane treatment of elderly individuals who, instead of receiving support, are criminalized for seeking their livelihood amid the national economic collapse.
In February, Héctor Julio Cedeño Negrín, a 71-year-old man who was the victim of a violent arrest on Monte Street in Havana for carrying a sign that said "Down with the dictatorship."
A video posted on social media by journalist Yosmany Mayeta captured the moment when the elderly man waved the banner and shouted the slogan, until he was violently subdued by an agent in plain clothes who, after dragging him to the patrol car, had a hard time getting him into the vehicle because the elderly man resisted firmly.
In December, a heartbreaking scene unfolded for the people at the José Martí International Airport in Havana, where a boy selling candies ended up in a police patrol.
The journalist Mario Vallejo from Univisión 23 shared on his Facebook wall the video showing the child walking away in tears upon seeing an officer approaching him. The boy is holding a paint bucket in which he most likely had the candies.
The incident occurred at Terminal 3 of the airport. Although the child had moved away quite a bit, he could not prevent the officers from putting him in the police car and taking him away.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of the Elderly in Cuba
Why was the elderly woman arrested in Havana?
The elderly woman was arrested by the police in El Curita Park, in Havana, for selling soft drinks. Despite being a common practice for survival in Cuba's economic crisis, the Cuban regime represses it by confiscating her products and imposing hefty fines, which has generated outrage among witnesses to the incident.
How does the Cuban regime affect elderly street vendors?
The Cuban regime represses the elderly who try to make a living by selling basic products on the streets. Instead of receiving support, these elderly individuals are criminalized and face confiscations and fines, reflecting the government's disregard for one of the most vulnerable sectors of Cuban society.
What impact does the economic crisis have on the lives of elderly Cubans?
The economic crisis in Cuba has left many elderly people in a state of extreme vulnerability. With insufficient pensions and runaway inflation, the elderly are forced to seek sustenance on the streets, in addition to facing institutional neglect and a lack of social support.
How does the Cuban population react to the repression of elderly vendors?
The Cuban population has reacted with outrage and criticism towards the repression of elderly vendors. On social media and in the streets, many Cubans express their disapproval of the regime's actions, highlighting the injustice faced by elderly individuals trying to survive through informal work.
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