The Cuban actor Jorge Losada Moreno passed away this Sunday in Havana at the age of 92, as announced on by his friend and colleague Luis Lacosta, art director of the Cuban Institute of Art and Cinematographic Industry (ICAIC).
"I have no words to express everything I would like to; my friend, my older brother has passed away after being together for more than 65 years. He will always be among us," said Luis.
Recently, Lacosta had raised concerns about the decline in health and the precarious situation in which his friend Jorge lived, and more than once he had to turn to social media to ask for help for him.
The last time was less than a month ago, when she reported the lack of food, resources, and access to medical care amidst a critical situation.
"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 no more money left, we have many needs," wrote Lacosta in his post.
The message reflected a dramatic situation: an actor with a long career in Cuban film and television relying on civic solidarity to obtain food, transportation, and medical care.
A symbol of abandoned Cuban culture
Jorge Losada is regarded as an iconic figure in television, theater, and film on the Island.
For decades, he participated in productions that left a mark on several generations of viewers, becoming one of the recognizable faces of Cuban audiovisual culture.
He made his debut as a reciter on Radio Mambí, trained in dramatic arts, and was part of the Rita Montaner theater group.
He also joined the Musical Theater of Havana, where his participation in works such as "Maestra vida," "El solar," "Pedro Navaja," "El Decamerón," "Don Quijote de La Rampa," and "El Caballero de Pogolotti" is remembered. For the latter, he received the Best Theater Actor Award from UNEAC in 1987.
In the cinema, he participated in over 20 productions alongside directors such as Sergio Giral, Manuel Octavio Gómez, Ruy Guerra, Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, and Juan Carlos Tabío. Some of his films include "I Am Cuba," "Glass Ceiling," "Maluala," "Alice in Wonderland," and "Guantanamera."
On television, he acted in the musical revue "Los domingos no están contados," as well as numerous series, dramas, and telenovelas such as "Los abuelos se rebelan," "Los papaloteros," "SOS Divorcio," "Día y noche," and "Las huérfanas de la Obrapía."
However, their situation in their later years highlights the contrast between artistic recognition and the real living conditions faced by many creators in the country.
Despite having dedicated his life to national culture, he largely depended on the solidarity of friends and citizens.
A long struggle against illness and scarcity
Losada's health had been a cause of concern among colleagues and followers for years.
In August of last year, the actor experienced a complicated medical emergency that required him to be rushed to the Calixto García Hospital.
According to Lacosta's account, the transfer turned into a true odyssey. For more than three hours, family and friends tried to get an ambulance without success.
Finally, after multiple procedures, an official from the public service successfully arranged for an ambulance from the Red Cross, which allowed for the actor to be transported from his home to the hospital.
But the situation became complicated again when it was time to return home. The hospital staff initially refused to provide an ambulance for the nighttime return, citing fears of possible assaults. Only after further efforts and the support of a second ambulance team was it possible to get him back home.
It wasn't the only time that friends and family had to mobilize help for the actor.
In recent years, campaigns have been organized to obtain food, medicine, blood donations, and even basic equipment like a toilet chair.
In 2024, he also faced severe pain due to a displaced hip prosthesis, forcing him to rely on a wheelchair. The lack of resources to obtain it 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.
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.
Her situation highlighted an uncomfortable reality: even artists who devoted their lives to the country ultimately face their old age with immense difficulties.
A 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 have a guaranteed dignified old age. However, today many retirees survive on pensions that barely cover a small portion of basic necessities.
Uncontrolled inflation has driven up the prices of food, medicine, and essential goods. In a country where scarcity is increasingly profound, even finding basic products has turned into a daily task filled with obstacles.
For the elderly, the situation is even harsher. With limited mobility, health issues, and minimal resources, many rely almost entirely on family, neighbors, or donations.
When those support networks are absent or inadequate, the only option often is to ask for help on social media, as happened in the case of Losada.
While the government continues to exalt Cuban culture and celebrate its historical figures in official speeches, the everyday life of many of those same artists reveals a very different picture, where citizen solidarity ends up replacing institutions.
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