Food insecurity in Cuba has ceased to be a warning and has become an alarming daily reality: one in four residents has gone to bed without dinner in recent months.
According to the report “There is Hunger in Cuba (2024),” prepared by the independent organization Food Monitor Program (FMP), the study is based on a Food Security Survey conducted between May and June of that year among 2,703 households distributed across all provinces in the country, including the Special Municipality of Isla de la Juventud.
The research analyzed the four key dimensions of food security: access, availability, stability, and consumption.
In each of them, the results show a growing deterioration that hits the most vulnerable sectors of the population the hardest.
96.91% of respondents reported having lost access to food due to inflation and the decrease in purchasing power, while 98.82% stated that they observed a significant increase in prices over the past year.
72% of households reported being forced to adopt unhealthy alternative diets due to the inability to access a balanced and minimally nutritious diet.
The elimination of meals has become a survival mechanism, and in that sense, 29% of Cubans eat only twice a day, and 4% barely once.
These extreme situations occur more frequently in provinces such as Artemisa, Isla de la Juventud, Mayabeque, and Guantánamo.
Additionally, there is a shocking statistic: 25% of respondents admitted to going to bed hungry, which is a direct reflection of a food crisis that is not only widespread but also deeply entrenched.
The groups most affected by this situation are those who present conditions of vulnerability, including the elderly, pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with physical or mental disabilities, and patients with chronic illnesses.
24% of respondents are over 60 years old, highlighting the demographic weight of those who require specific diets and particular care.
In addition, 63% of households reported living with elderly adults under their care.
Twenty-five percent of the surveyed families reported having at least one person with severe limitations in mobility, vision, speech, or mental health, which increases the severity of the situation.
The lack of food is not the only challenge, as it is compounded by the collapse of essential basic services for cooking, hygiene, and storage.
Seventy-one percent of households reported frequent blackouts, particularly during key cooking hours, while sixty percent said they lack access to drinking water. One in four households stated they receive water only once every three days or even less frequently.
The lack of electricity and water further limits the ability to prepare or preserve food, increasing health risks.
The household economy is also stifled: 60% of those surveyed spend between five and fifteen hours a week solely on searching for food.
Forty-two percent of households spend all their monthly income on food, while twenty-five percent need to invest up to five times the monthly minimum wage to be able to purchase basic goods.
For many Cubans, feeding themselves has become the sole priority.
The FMP report also reflects widespread discontent with the state management, as 64% of respondents believe that the main culprit behind the food shortages is the Cuban government and its poor administration.
26% point to corruption as a direct cause, while only 8% link the situation to the U.S. embargo.
These figures starkly contrast with the official narrative, which insists on blaming only external factors.
At the regional level, the report warns that although Cuba represents only 5% of the Caribbean population, it accounts for 40% of food insecurity cases.
Food Monitor Program warns that the situation is likely even more serious than what the data suggests, due to self-censorship, resignation to precarious conditions, and a lack of nutritional knowledge that leads many individuals to confuse satiety with adequate nutrition.
This food crisis impacts not only physical health but also the work, school, and emotional performance of citizens, directly affecting the social fabric and development of the country.
In light of this situation, FMP demands that the Cuban government take responsibility for ensuring food and essential services for the population.
Furthermore, it makes an urgent call to international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to take immediate action in response to what they describe as a silent food emergency affecting millions of Cubans.
Deaths from malnutrition in Cuba have increased drastically, reflecting a food crisis that affects not only the general population but also specific groups such as the elderly and inmates.
In official data analyzed by the platform elToque, malnutrition has become one of the main causes of death, accompanied by the collapse of the prison system where, as reported by Cubalex, inmates have died due to extreme hunger and neglect.
Food insecurity is also evident on the streets of the country. Fainting from hunger has been reported in multiple provinces, affecting the elderly, young people, and women.
Many citizens live on a diet limited to one or two meals a day and depend on street solidarity or begging. Even individuals with physical limitations or ex-combatants ask for help with signs that say “This is for food,” as shown in this testimony collected by the OCDH.
The decline in state assistance has left thousands of retirees and vulnerable individuals without food. Rations from the supply booklet have been reduced, eliminating basic products such as coffee, oil, and sugar, without providing viable alternatives.
The gradual elimination of rationing has worsened the situation in Cuban households, where scarcity has become part of daily life.
Desperation has manifested in citizen protests, such as the one that took place in Santiago de Cuba, where demonstrators shouted in front of the police "we are hungry".
Also in Maisí, mothers blocked traffic with empty tanks demanding water and food, raising their voices against a regime that, according to them, is “killing them from hunger and thirst” amid an increasingly suffocating crisis.
The country is facing extreme precariousness: shortages of bread, gas, and food and constant blackouts, while thousands of Cubans rummage through garbage for food or survive by selling recyclable items. The image of an empty refrigerator, described by a citizen as “my fridge is empty, there is nothing,” sums up the feeling of abandonment and despair that permeates a nation impoverished by poor management and official indifference.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation regarding food insecurity in Cuba?
Food insecurity in Cuba is alarming, with a report revealing that one in four Cubans goes to bed without dinner. The crisis is exacerbated by inflation, a decline in purchasing power, and a significant rise in food prices. This situation particularly affects the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with disabilities.
Why has malnutrition increased in Cuba?
Malnutrition in Cuba has increased due to a severe food crisis, characterized by reliance on imports, low investment in agriculture, and the deterioration of basic services. These factors have left the population without access to sufficient and nutritious food, resulting in an increase in deaths from malnutrition between 2022 and 2023.
How does the food crisis affect household economy in Cuba?
The food crisis in Cuba seriously impacts the household economy, with 60% of homes dedicating between five and fifteen hours a week just to searching for food. Many households spend all their income on food, and some need to invest up to five times the minimum wage to acquire basic products. This focus on food survival limits families' ability to meet other essential needs.
What are the main causes of the food crisis in Cuba?
The food crisis in Cuba is caused by a high dependence on imports, minimal agricultural investment, and failed economic policies. These factors have reduced food availability and worsened shortages, forcing Cubans to rely on an expensive and unstable informal market to obtain basic goods.
Filed under:
