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The head of press for the Presidency of Cuba, Leticia Martínez Hernández, reacted this Thursday to the viral photo of several children sleeping in the gardens of the Muthu hotel, located at the intersection of 1st and 70, in the Playa municipality, Havana, an image that has sparked outrage and debate on social media.
The photo of the children sleeping in public spaces illustrates the growing child begging in the Cuban capital, against a backdrop of deep economic crisis and rising extreme poverty.
In a post on his Facebook profile, Martínez attempted to defend the regime's management regarding child protection, but acknowledged that the scene was “unacceptable”.
"This Revolution does a lot for its children, every day and on all fronts. Let's never forget that, but situations like the one in that photo circulating are unacceptable. It is the responsibility of the State and families, and of all of us who see these things, while many only post about them. Kudos to the deputy who stepped up to resolve the issue and respond. It is our collective responsibility," he wrote.
His statements were a reaction to the message published by the officialist deputy Carlos Miguel Pérez Reyes, who also addressed the issue on Facebook after visiting the place where the minors sleep.
Pérez Reyes, a representative from the Playa municipality, acknowledged that the issue is recurring and that the minors involved "do not belong" to that district but to other municipalities in Havana.
In his post, he listed the social programs of the Cuban state that, according to him, cater to children, from daycare centers to homes for unaccompanied children, and stated that “in Cuba, with very few resources, a lot is being done for children.” However, he acknowledged structural deficiencies in institutional care.
"The Minint's Council for the Care of Minors is the body responsible for these cases, and there are numerous reports and files, at least that’s what neighbors in the area confirmed to me (...). Reporting and 'taking in' the minors does not alone resolve the root of the issue. It is necessary to assess whether the Minors department has the required capabilities and how it collaborates with Social Services, Public Health, and local governments," he said.
The deputy also warned about the “lack of sensitivity” among some authorities and the population, who limit themselves to taking photos or normalizing the presence of children on the streets.
The photo that sparked the debate was published by the Cuban journalist Yadira Albet, who shared a post from user Mayelín Guevara on Facebook.
At least six children aged between 8 and 14 years were sleeping on cardboard in the gardens of the Muthu hotel, after being expelled by the police from the area near the nearby Business Center.
"At first, they were walking around the Business Center, and it’s true that they sleep there now and stay asking for things," recounted a neighbor, while other witnesses confirmed that the minors "help tourists" or "ask for money" in the vicinity of the MLC market at 3rd and 70th.
Despite the widespread coverage of the case, no state institution had officially commented until the reactions of Martínez and Pérez Reyes.
The photo once again highlighted the collapse of the Cuban social protection system, while the regime insists on projecting an image of "social achievements" that contrasts with the reality of thousands of children in vulnerable situations.
Various independent organizations have warned that an increasing number of minors are living on the streets, begging for alms or searching for food, in a context of extreme poverty that affects 89% of Cuban households, according to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights and UNICEF.
Annual inflation, the rising cost of food, and the collapse of the state welfare system have multiplied these cases, while the government prefers to blame families or "social factors," avoiding taking direct responsibility for the crisis.
The press chief for Díaz-Canel and a deputy try to portray the issue as an isolated failure, but images of children sleeping on the streets reflect a broken Cuba, where child misery can no longer be hidden behind official slogans.
Frequently asked questions about the situation of children in Cuba
What does the viral image of children sleeping in the gardens of a hotel in Havana show?
The viral image shows the growing child begging in Havana, reflecting the deep economic crisis and the rise of extreme poverty in Cuba. The photo has sparked outrage and debate about the situation of minors on the island.
How has the Cuban government reacted to the situation of street children?
The press chief of the Presidency of Cuba, Leticia Martínez Hernández, described the situation as "unacceptable" and highlighted the responsibility of the State and families. The government has tried to portray the issue as an isolated failure, although various organizations point to a collapse of the Cuban social protection system.
What is Díaz-Canel's stance on child begging and child labor in Cuba?
Miguel Díaz-Canel has acknowledged the existence of begging and child labor, but he has chosen to blame families and "social factors" instead of taking direct state responsibility. He has indicated that these phenomena should not proliferate, even in the context of the current economic crisis.
What actions does the Cuban government propose to address child poverty?
The Cuban government mentions social programs such as child care centers and homes for unprotected children. However, the structural deficiencies in institutional care, the lack of resources, and coordination with other social services have been acknowledged by officials like Deputy Carlos Miguel Pérez Reyes.
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