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The crisis in Cuba continues to leave heartbreaking images of abandonment: an elderly man, a graduate of the prestigious San Alejandro School, survives today in Havana by selling drawings on the street to be able to eat.
The testimony was shared this Tuesday in the Facebook group Mipyme HABANA, where a user recounted that he found the man at a stop near the Maternidad Obrera Hospital in Marianao.
"He asked me for 10 pesos... and even though I didn't have much either, I gave him 50. But what shook me was not his need, but what he was doing in silence: he was drawing," she wrote.
The witness reported that the elderly man held an old cardboard with a blank sheet, and with a trembling hand, he traced firm lines that shaped the silhouette of the Cathedral of Havana.
The scene moved him even more upon learning that the man had studied at the San Alejandro School of Painting in the 1980s.
With academic training and undeniable talent, this Cuban now relies on selling his works to support himself.
“In any other country, he would be enjoying his old age with dignity, surrounded by respect, perhaps teaching his art. But here he was, forgotten, with tired eyes and shattered hope,” lamented the internet user.
The text highlighted the harsh reality faced by thousands of Cubans: doctors, teachers, engineers, and professionals who dedicated their lives to the country and today find themselves reduced to misery.
“It's not their fault; it's a system that has robbed them of even the right to grow old with dignity,” stated the author of the post.
The images shared show the elderly man sitting on the ground as he draws the Cathedral of Havana, a symbol of talent that endures despite hunger and fatigue, a scene that encapsulates the silent plight of those who age without support on the island.
The reality for thousands of elderly people in Cuba is becoming increasingly dire, with highly trained professionals reduced to poverty.
A former student found his abandoned chemistry teacher in a vacant lot, without family or resources, surviving thanks to what he receives from strangers.
The man, who dedicated decades to teaching, now spends his days alone in precarious conditions, without the slightest institutional support.
State abandonment becomes more pronounced when it is noted that, following an official increase in pensions, thousands of retirees receive barely the equivalent of 10 dollars a month.
This amount does not even cover a basic diet, which drives many elderly people to seek income on the streets or rely on the charity of others.
A recent report has revealed that 89% of the Cuban population lives in extreme poverty.
The outlook is bleak: elderly people who were once doctors, teachers, artists, or engineers are surviving by begging or selling objects on the street. The value of their work and years of service to the country has been disregarded by a system that has left them with no options or future.
Even the regime itself has had to acknowledge that at least 310,000 people live in conditions of social vulnerability.
However, the number could be much higher if we include those who survive on minimal income and lack regular access to food, medicine, or decent housing. Old age in Cuba has become a sentence of precariousness.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of the Elderly in Cuba
Why does an elderly Cuban have to sell drawings in order to eat?
An elderly Cuban, a graduate of the San Alejandro School of Painting, is forced to sell drawings on the streets of Havana to make ends meet due to the economic crisis in Cuba. The economic and political system on the island has left many retirees without the necessary resources to live with dignity, forcing them to seek additional income in any way possible. The situation is even more critical due to inflation, food shortages, and insufficient government support.
What is the overall situation of the elderly in Cuba?
The situation of the elderly in Cuba is alarming, as many live in conditions of extreme poverty. The minimum pensions, which are around 1,500 Cuban pesos, are insufficient to cover basic needs. Additionally, the lack of resources, the scarcity of food and medicines, and the deterioration of the public health system worsen the situation. Many elderly individuals rely on the charity of neighbors or remittances from abroad.
What role does the Cuban government play in the elderly crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented increases in pensions, but these measures are insufficient to address the crisis. The lack of an adequate social security system and the government's inability to provide basic services and necessary food have left many elderly people in a state of neglect. The regime is criticized for not offering effective solutions to improve the living conditions of retirees.
How does inflation affect elderly Cubans?
Inflation in Cuba has driven up the prices of essential goods, making the cost of living unsustainable for many elderly individuals who rely on minimal pensions. The increase in prices of food, medications, and other essential items has left retirees in a critical situation, where their income does not even cover basic necessities. This forces many to seek alternative ways to survive, such as selling items on the streets.
What can Cubans do to help the elderly in this situation?
The solidarity among citizens is crucial to alleviating the situation of the elderly in Cuba. Many Cubans are organizing fundraising efforts, providing direct assistance, or sharing food and essential products with the most needy elderly. Additionally, humanitarian project initiatives and remittances sent from abroad are essential to provide the support that the government does not offer.
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