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A new call for help from the Cuban veteran actor Jorge Losada has once again shaken social media and brought to the forefront a reality that thousands of families on the Island know all too well: old age in Cuba is often experienced amidst shortages, illnesses, and institutional neglect.
Luis Lacosta, art director and founder of the Cuban Institute of Art and Cinematographic Industries (ICAIC), posted a message on Facebook alerting about the deterioration of the actor's health and the lack of basic resources to care for him.
"The health of the beloved actor has deteriorated significantly. I will be very honest: there is no food to give him, there is no transportation to take him to the doctor, we have run out of money, and we have many needs," Lacosta wrote in his post, where he requested immediate assistance to address the artist's most urgent needs.
The message reflects a dramatic situation: an actor with a long career in Cuban cinema and television relying on the solidarity of citizens to obtain food, transportation, and medical care.
Controversy following the call for help
Hours after the first message, Lacosta published a clarification following the receipt of thousands of comments, many offering support while others were filled with insults and slander.
The art director explained that many people reached out wanting to help, but others started spreading false rumors claiming that the actor had already passed away and accusing those managing the assistance of lying to take advantage of the situation.
Lacosta rejected those accusations and reiterated that Losada is still alive, although in a delicate state of health.
"For those who, instead of helping, try to defame, I will say: my reputation is not lost due to a false news story or for any other reason. (...) I will repeat, Jorge Losada Moreno is alive, in delicate health, and this is not a political issue; it is a matter concerning his friends, which we are resolving," he emphasized.
A symbol of Cuban culture in distress
Jorge Losada is considered an iconic figure in television and cinema on the Island.
For decades, he participated in productions that left a lasting impact on several generations of viewers, becoming one of the recognizable faces of Cuban audiovisual culture.
However, their current situation highlights the contrast between artistic recognition and the actual living conditions that many creators face in the country.
Despite having devoted his life to national culture, today his well-being largely depends on the solidarity of friends and citizens.
An old age marked by precariousness
The case of Losada illustrates a reality that affects thousands of elderly people in Cuba.
For decades, the State promised that those who dedicated their lives to work and culture would be guaranteed a dignified old age. However, today many retirees survive on pensions that barely cover a small portion of basic necessities.
Uncontrolled inflation has skyrocketed the prices of food, medicine, and essential items. In a country where scarcity is increasingly severe, even finding basic products has become a daily task filled with obstacles.
For the elderly, the situation is even more challenging. With limited mobility, health issues, and minimal resources, many rely almost entirely on family, neighbors, or donations.
When those support networks are lacking or insufficient, the only option often ends up being to seek help on social media, as happened again with the case of Losada.
A long fight against illness and scarcity
The health status of Losada has been a source of concern among colleagues and fans for years.
In August of last year, the actor experienced a complicated medical emergency that required him to be urgently taken to Calixto García Hospital.
According to Lacosta, the transfer turned into a true odyssey. For more than three hours, family and friends tried to secure an ambulance without success.
Finally, after multiple efforts, a representative from the public assistance service managed to send a Red Cross vehicle that allowed for the actor's transport from his home to the hospital.
The move was particularly complicated because Losada lives on a high floor and has limited mobility.
Once at the hospital, the actor received urgent medical care that stabilized him.
But the situation became complicated again when it was time to return home. The hospital staff initially refused to provide an ambulance for the night return, citing fears of potential assaults.
Only after new efforts and the support of a second ambulance team was it possible to transfer him back home.
It hasn't been the only time that friends and family have had to rally support for the actor.
In recent years, campaigns have been organized to obtain food, medicine, blood donations, and even basic equipment such as a bath chair.
In 2024, he also faced severe pain due to a dislocated hip prosthesis, which forced him to rely on a wheelchair. The lack of resources to obtain one once again led his loved ones to seek public assistance.
Even in 2021, after a surgery that left him with severe anemia, it was necessary to request scarce medications in the country through social media.
Despite everything, Losada remained active for years on Cuban television. In 2023, he participated in the soap opera "Renacer," where he humorously remarked that that appearance could be the last of his career.
Today, at 92 years old, his situation once again highlights an uncomfortable reality: even artists who devoted their lives to the country end up facing old age with significant challenges.
While the government continues to exalt Cuban culture and celebrate its historical figures in official speeches, the daily lives of many of those same artists reveal a very different reality, where civic solidarity ends up replacing institutions.
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