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The retired Cuban journalist Iraida Calzadilla denounced on her Facebook profile the harsh reality she faces each month to receive her pension in Cuba.
"Like every month: lying on the threshold of any bench, this time on the one at Zanja, to collect whatever amount they choose from my pension, because they don't even give the full amount. Every day more depressing. This is the harsh reality," she wrote.
His testimony did not go unnoticed.
The journalist Yirmara Torres Hernández expressed her sadness over the situation facing her colleague Iraida, a distinguished professor who has trained several generations of journalists.
"And here is Professor Iraida... she describes it herself in the post she left on her profile. Like so many retirees, she faces an odyssey to collect her pension. And that's in Havana. What must it be like for the rest of this island! Oh, my Cuba. How you hurt!" she lamented.
An extended crisis
The struggles faced by retirees to access their pension are not new nor exclusive to Havana.
In May, images shared by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada showed elderly individuals sleeping in doorways and on the sidewalks of the historic center of Santiago in Cuba, trying to cash their checks amid a severe cash shortage and the collapse of the banking system.
The photos, taken on Enramadas Street, captured elderly individuals lying just a few meters away from iconic locations such as La Bodeguita del Medio and Parque Céspedes. Long lines in front of ATMs were also documented at intersections like Enramadas with Corona and Padre Pico.
This phenomenon, far from being isolated, has occurred in several cities across the country. According to data collected by CiberCuba, more than 39% of pensioners receive less than 1,528 CUP per month.
The combination of inflation, lack of cash, and a precarious banking system has turned pension collection into a true odyssey.
"There is money," but there is no access
Although the president of the Central Bank of Cuba publicly stated that "there is money", testimonies contradict that claim.
On the streets, retirees face out-of-service ATMs, endless lines, looters profiting from the desperation of others, and a complete lack of guarantees for the health and safety of the elderly.
This crisis is compounded by the deterioration of the elderly care system, rampant inflation, and the lack of concrete responses from the authorities.
In December of last year, during the year-end period, dozens of elderly individuals in Santiago de Cuba experienced the nightmare once again: long lines at banks and post offices, disorganization, and precarious conditions to receive a pension that does not suffice to meet basic needs.
A drama that has become a constant amid one of the country's worst economic crises.
Failed banking integration
The situation has worsened since the government implemented mandatory banking for the payment of salaries and pensions. The system, which was intended to be a step towards modernization, has collapsed due to a lack of infrastructure and insufficient ATMs.
In Matanzas, for example, on December 11, a chaotic situation was reported at the Jovellanos Bank: crowds, confrontations between customers and employees, and widespread frustration due to the inability to access funds.
What Iraida Calzadilla lives, and what she herself has dubbed her "real reality," reflects a structural crisis that particularly impacts the most vulnerable: the elderly who, after decades of labor, now must struggle each month to receive a pension that, in many cases, barely allows them to survive with dignity.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Pension and Cash Crisis in Cuba
Why do Cuban retirees face difficulties in receiving their pensions?
Retirees in Cuba are facing difficulties in accessing their pensions due to the lack of cash in banks and the scarcity of ATMs, which forces many to wait for hours or even days to access their money. This situation is exacerbated by inflation and the collapse of the banking system, leaving the elderly in a position of extreme vulnerability.
What is the impact of the economic crisis on Cuban pensioners?
The economic crisis in Cuba has led to uncontrolled inflation and the rising cost of basic goods, which severely affects retirees who receive minimum pensions. Many cannot meet their basic needs, forcing them to seek additional income or rely on support from family or neighbors.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the cash crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to implement mandatory bancarization and the use of alternative services such as "Caja Extra." However, these measures have not resolved the cash shortage, as many entities are not prepared to offer these services, keeping the crisis ongoing and worsening the situation for retirees.
How does the cash crisis affect the daily lives of Cubans?
The lack of cash forces Cubans to face long lines and restrictions on withdrawing money, affecting their daily lives and generating frustration. This situation is particularly critical for retirees, who must struggle each month to receive an income that does not meet their basic needs, putting their health and well-being at risk.
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