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The Cuban regime intervened in recent hours to "collect" a group of children who were sleeping in the garden of a hotel in Havana, after a viral image on social media sparked public outrage over the situation of minors living on the streets and put the government in a difficult position, exposing its usual failures in addressing the needs of children.
The official spokesperson Pedro Jorge Velázquez confirmed this Monday on Facebook that the photograph is authentic and that the children have been "lingering in that area" close to the Muthu hotel.
A statement that raises numerous questions and reveals the most evident contradiction: if the regime claims to be “humanist” and a defender of children, how did it allow minors to sleep for weeks in the gardens of a hotel without receiving care, shelter, or protection?
According to its own investigation, citing testimonies from workers, gardeners, security personnel, and local vendors, the group of minors has been frequenting the area for at least more than a month.
The spokesperson stated that the children do not belong to the Playa municipality – as if that were a relevant detail – where the hotel is located, but come from other areas of the capital and "spend several days there because they have no way to return to their homes."
It was also noted that some are sent by their parents to ask for money or food, and there have been cases of minors who even “arrive in school uniforms and hang clothes to dry on the stairs of the complex.”
What is concerning is that this situation happened for a long time, in plain sight of leaders and government officials of the Party who, it seems, were unaware of this reality.
The publication admits that the authorities had been alerted several times by workers at the site, but no action was taken until the photo went viral.
"Now that the image went viral on social media, a 'collection' was organized to take them to their area," she wrote.
The regime's deputy for the Playa municipality, Carlos Miguel Pérez Reyes, publicly acknowledged that the State's response does not address the root issue.
"Reporting and 'collecting' minors does not address the root of the phenomenon; it is necessary to assess whether Minors has the required capabilities and how it coordinates with Labor, Public Health, and local governments," he stated on social media.
However, the operation has generated new criticism within the community itself. The manager of a bar near the hotel stated that now "it's a problem to help them, to give them food or money, because that causes them to stay around."
According to their testimony, guardians and private business managers have been reprimanded for offering them support, and now they are trying to drive them away from the area, which increases their exclusion and mistreatment.
Workers at the complex also confirmed that the presence of children had been known to the authorities for weeks.
Some reported that children "sleep in the hallways, behind the bus stops, or in front of the new bank," and that even one minor fainted from hunger and was helped in a workers' cafeteria before the police picked him up.
Velázquez acknowledged that the phenomenon is not isolated, which is surprising coming from a government spokesperson.
Deputy Pérez himself stated that children have been spotted asking for money at various locations in Havana "until late at night, with no visible consequences for the responsible adults."
The Vice Prime Minister Inés María Chapman stated to the official spokesperson that "a solution has already been provided and work is underway with the relevant organizations," although she did not offer details on the measures taken.
While the regime attempts to manage the scandal following the viral photo, the reality it depicts—children sleeping just a few meters from hotels and currency exchange markets—once again highlights the deep social deterioration in Cuba and the lack of an effective protection system for homeless minors.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of Homeless Children in Cuba
Why didn't the Cuban regime address the children who were sleeping in the gardens of the hotel in Havana earlier?
The Cuban regime did not act until the image of the children went viral and generated public outrage, highlighting flaws in the care for minors. Despite alerts from workers and witnesses about the presence of the children, no measures were taken until social pressure forced the government to intervene.
What is the official response of the Cuban government regarding the situation of homeless children?
The official response has been limited and delayed. The authorities acknowledged that "a solution has already been provided and work is being done with the relevant organizations", but they have not detailed the measures taken. Furthermore, Deputy Carlos Miguel Pérez Reyes admitted that the gathering of minors does not address the root of the problem, highlighting structural deficiencies in child protection.
What does the situation of children sleeping on the street reveal about the social protection system in Cuba?
The situation highlights the collapse of the Cuban social protection system and the economic deterioration affecting children. Despite official rhetoric about "social achievements," the reality reveals an increasing vulnerability among children, with minors exposed to begging and neglect in a context of extreme poverty.
How has the local community reacted to the situation of the children in the Muthu hotel?
The local community has expressed indignation and concern over the situation. Some workers and neighbors tried to help the children, but they were reprimanded for offering support. The community's reaction has been critical of the lack of government intervention, and many believe that the state response is inadequate and merely aims to manage the scandal.
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