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Pascual Jiménez, a 64-year-old Cuban residing in the town of Altamira, faces old age in conditions of extreme hardship, without institutional support and with a roof that threatens to collapse on him. His story was brought to light on social media by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who highlighted the neglect experienced by many in Santiago de Cuba.
The images published by Mayeta show Pascual inside his home, a modest structure with clear signs of deprivation. The interior reveals humble conditions and scarce resources, reflecting the situation that the reporter described as institutional neglect.
His story, however, is not an exception; it is a raw reflection of the government’s neglect that weighs heavily on thousands of people not only in Santiago de Cuba, who survive thanks to the kindness of their neighbors.
At 64 years old, Pascual no longer has the strength he once had. According to the shared testimony, he faces a reality marked by food scarcity, inadequate basic services, and a lack of effective social assistance. The reporter noted that the promises of protection for the elderly remain just that—words without action.
Neighbors in the area confirmed in the comments of the post that the man lives alone and without support. One of them stated that he “lives in very sad conditions and without anyone’s help,” while another reported that “the community leaders are completely unaware of the situation,” despite the fact that his home was affected by the latest cyclone. Other users agreed that “the elderly are completely abandoned” and that “there is no justification from any institution.”
The case of Pascual is not an isolated one. In recent weeks, similar stories have emerged that highlight the vulnerability of elderly Cubans in the eastern part of the country. In Santiago de Cuba, the story of Teresa Ramis, 70 years old, revealed a sick and lonely woman without medical care until a report on social media prompted authorities to take action.
Also in the same city, Ulises Castro Reyes, 75 years old, lost his home for the second time after Hurricane Melissa passed through. His wooden house completely collapsed and he has not received any official aid, despite government promises.
Cases like that of a family in Mayarí, Holguín, who lost everything during the same hurricane, illustrate a widespread situation of helplessness. Reports indicate that state assistance is focused on media-highlighted areas, while marginalized neighborhoods remain unprotected.
In another recent case, a sick Cuban cried out for food and water after the death of his wife: “My wife died and I am dying,” he said in a testimony that moved thousands of users and highlighted the extent of state neglect.
The situation of Pascual Jiménez is set against a backdrop where aging in Cuba has become a survival challenge. The scarcity of food, medicine, and effective social programs leaves thousands of Cubans in undignified conditions, while state institutions maintain administrative silence in the face of the surrounding poverty. His case serves as another reminder of the daily plight faced by elderly Cubans, as the State continues to turn a blind eye.
"Growing old should not be a sentence. Poverty cannot continue to be a state policy," concluded Mayeta in her post, reflecting the sense of helplessness of a population aging without support.
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