Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel visited a nursing home in Manicaragua, Villa Clara province, on Thursday, in what the official press presented as a tour he is conducting across all areas of the country.
However, the images from the tour made a strong impact on social media due to the visual contrast between the government delegation and the physical condition of the elderly residents.
In the images shared by the Presidencia, the president is seen greeting several elderly individuals in metal chairs, with extremely thin bodies and pronounced cheekbones.
Around him, Díaz-Canel and his entourage—Communist Party officials, medical personnel, and directors—appear in neat shirts, well-maintained jeans, and healthy faces.
The official even wears a light blue shirt with the presidential logo embroidered on it and polished leather shoes, in an environment where the elderly survive amid shortages.
The scene, which aimed to convey closeness and concern, was interpreted by many Cubans as a graphic representation of inequality within the system.
According to a report from the Presidency published on Telecubanacán, the home, established in 2010, provides specialized medical services and meals for all its residents.
Dr. Eleanay Santana explained how the center operates and emphasized that various organizations prioritize the provision of essential resources.
During the visit, Díaz-Canel asked several residents how they felt in the institution, and inquired about their medical conditions, healthcare, and the status of the repair and maintenance process of the building.
However, the official discourse contrasts sharply with the starkness of the images: the visible signs of malnutrition, the deterioration of bodies, and the apparent lack of vitality among many residents reveal a reality that goes beyond the institutional narrative.
This is not the first presidential visit to a nursing home that has sparked controversy. In April, during a similar visit in Las Tunas, state media reported positive testimonials from residents, while independent reports highlighted issues such as shortages, lack of hygiene, and chronic medical deficiencies.
In a country where inflation, shortages of medication, and the breakdown of the food system affect millions of people, nursing homes, almost entirely supported by the state, represent one of the weakest links.
The background of this visit cannot be understood without considering the growing food crisis that is affecting the country. According to the report "In Cuba There is Hunger (2024)", prepared by the independent organization Food Monitor Program (FMP), 1 in 4 Cubans goes to bed without dinner. The study, based on surveys of 2,703 households from all provinces, revealed that:
- 96.9% of those surveyed lost access to food due to inflation.
- 72% adopted poor or unhealthy diets.
- 29% only eats twice a day; 4%, only once.
- 25% of households have at least one member with severe disabilities.
- 63% live with elderly adults.
These data confirm that institutionalized elderly individuals, such as those Díaz-Canel visited in Manicaragua, belong to the most vulnerable group affected by hunger.
The same report warned about the conditions exacerbating the crisis: frequent blackouts (71%), lack of drinking water (60%), and the need to allocate up to five times the minimum wage to be able to eat. Food has ceased to be a right in Cuba and has turned into a daily struggle for survival.
Additionally, 64% of respondents hold the Cuban government responsible for the food shortages; only 8% blame the U.S. embargo.
Frequently asked questions about Díaz-Canel's visit to a Cuban nursing home
What was the public reaction to Díaz-Canel's visit to the asylum in Manicaragua?
The images of Díaz-Canel's visit to the nursing home had a strong impact on social media due to the visual contrast between the government entourage and the physical state of the elderly residents. The scene was interpreted by many Cubans as a graphic representation of inequality within the system, highlighting the regime's disconnection from the real needs of the most vulnerable population.
What is the current food situation in Cuba?
The food situation in Cuba is critical. According to the report "There is Hunger in Cuba (2024)" by the independent organization Food Monitor Program (FMP), 1 in 4 Cubans goes to bed without dinner. Additionally, 96.9% of respondents lost access to food due to inflation, and 72% have adopted poor or unhealthy diets. These figures reflect a food crisis that severely affects the entire population, especially institutionalized seniors.
What contradictions exist between the official discourse and the reality in nursing homes in Cuba?
The official discourse assures that nursing homes in Cuba provide specialized medical services and guaranteed meals, however, the images released show a different reality, with visibly malnourished elderly individuals living in precarious conditions. This contradiction highlights the disparity between the government narrative and the harsh reality faced by seniors on the island.
How has inflation and scarcity affected Cuban households?
Inflation and scarcity have severely impacted Cuban households. 96.9% of the surveyed families have lost access to food due to inflation, and 72% have adopted poor or unhealthy diets. Furthermore, the necessity of spending up to five times the minimum wage to afford food has turned eating into a daily struggle for survival, especially for the most vulnerable sectors, such as the elderly.
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