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The image of a man searching for food among the waste, captured in the center of Santiago de Cuba, once again highlighted the everyday impact of hunger on the island and generated a wave of reactions that described similar scenes in different parts of the country.
The independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada reported this Friday, through his Facebook account, a scene that he claims has become common in Cuba: a man digging through the trash to see if he can find something to eat, behind the building known as “18 plantas de Garzón,” in the heart of what is called Hero City.
In her post, Mayeta emphasizes that this is not an isolated or exceptional case, but rather a stark expression of everyday reality.
He attributes the situation to hunger caused by insufficient wages, inadequate pensions, and empty markets or prices that are inaccessible for the majority.
"That is hunger, real hunger," he wrote, in contrast to the official narratives that attribute these scenes to laziness or "cheekiness."
The journalist contrasted this reality with the official narrative of resistance and sacrifice, and warned about the danger of normalizing human degradation.
In his opinion, the most serious issue is not witnessing these scenes, but becoming accustomed to them, until indignation fades away along with dignity.
The post generated numerous comments from citizens who claimed to recognize the people depicted and confirmed that they have been surviving this way for years.
A user identified the protagonists as two brothers with disabilities—"the twins"—who live in her neighborhood and stated that they have always depended on charity.
Others reported seeing them daily behind central establishments, waiting for leftover food to consume.
Various readers broadened the focus beyond Santiago de Cuba. Some recounted similar scenes in Havana, such as elderly people asking for food in the middle of traffic or people rummaging through trash bins for clothing and food.
In the comments, a central idea is repeated: these individuals are not "disguised," -as suggested months ago by the former Minister of Labor and Security, which cost her the position-, but rather exposed to neglect, misfortune, and the lack of response from state institutions.
The reactions agree that the image is not an exaggeration or an exceptional case, but rather a visible symptom of a deeper social crisis, where extreme poverty and hunger have become part of the urban landscape in several Cuban cities.
The most recent speech by the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, during the XI Plenary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, once again showcased the disconnection of the government from the reality experienced by most Cubans.
In an attempt to cover up the economic and social decline, the leader replaced the word “poverty” with the euphemism “material scarcity”, while again blaming the “blockade” and the “enemy's hatred” for the misery affecting the country.
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