The content creator focused on culinary topics, Ydalgo Martínez, once again highlighted the harsh reality of present-day Cuba by sharing a simple gesture on his social media that reveals, at the same time, a deep social deficiency.
In a video shared on Instagram, the man is seen talking to elderly people on the streets of Havana and extending to them an invitation that seemed almost unimaginable to many: to sit in a restaurant and share a Christmas lunch.
In one of the most poignant scenes, Martínez asks a woman when was the last time she ate at a restaurant. Her response encapsulates decades of hardship: "I’m 70 now, and I was about 16." That exchange reflects the level of exclusion experienced by many elderly people on the Island, for whom a meal out has long ceased to be an option.
The influencer explained that the initiative arose with the purpose of "providing a happy moment" and bringing smiles during dates traditionally associated with family unity and celebration.
To achieve this, he had the support of the restaurant Castasytal, located in Centro Habana, a private business dedicated to healthy eating and respect for the natural environment.
According to him, the idea was to share an afternoon that honored life, nature, and human dignity, providing humble individuals with a space where they could feel respected and valued, and to "embrace the day of life, Christmas, and the New Year."
The images convey a sense of closeness, calm conversations, and sincere gratitude.
"It was a beautiful, genuine, unforgettable afternoon, surrounded by simple people, sincere smiles, and the certainty that when we share, we heal the soul," expressed Martínez after speaking with the guests.
Beyond the gesture of solidarity, the action highlights an uncomfortable reality: the growing poverty and neglect affecting large segments of the population.
In a country where inflation and scarcity have turned daily meals into a challenge, initiatives like those of Ydalgo Martínez, along with others involving small private businesses and religious communities, have become the only means for many elderly individuals and those in need to celebrate Christmas with a minimum of dignity.
The very existence of these acts of charity reveals the void left by a state that is unable to guarantee basic conditions of food and welfare for its most vulnerable citizens.
What happened with Castasytal is not an isolated case.
In Havana, on December 24th, restaurants and independent artists also took to the streets to distribute free meals, trying to alleviate a situation that the official discourse tends to downplay.
Businesses like El Guajirito distributed dozens of food portions, while musicians and influencers contributed with donations and support.
Everyone agreed that reality has hardened to the point where, without these initiatives, many would have absolutely nothing to eat during such significant dates.
"The situation gets tougher every day, but every Cuban should have the right to enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner," the organizers explained in a video shared on social media.
These scenes not only depict an act of kindness, but they also serve as an implicit denunciation.
In Cuba, where old age is experienced amidst scarcity and loneliness, and access to food has become a privilege, the gesture of inviting elderly individuals to lunch at a restaurant serves as a reminder of how much the system has failed to protect those who need it most.
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