A Cuban identified as Basilio Plasencia, a resident of Havana, moved hundreds of people on social media after revealing that he searches for food and reusable items in the dumpsters of Havana to survive amidst the deep economic crisis that the country is experiencing.
The story was revealed by Lizardo Bello González, who shared a video of himself talking with the man while sorting through waste on a corner of the neighborhood.
He explained that every day he goes out to search for raw materials, perfume bottles, and any items he can sell to earn some money, although he admitted that at times he has had to eat food found in the garbage out of hunger.
"In some cases, I take bread from the trash and eat it because I'm hungry," the man confessed during the video as he explained the difficult conditions he has been living in for years.
He stated that he lacks close family support in Cuba and that he practically survives on his own. He explained that he lost his parents and grandparents, while a sister living in the United States only helps him to cover the rent for his housing.
"With the money she gives me and the little I manage to earn, it isn't enough to buy food," she lamented.
One of the toughest moments of the testimony occurred when he mentioned that he has a 12-year-old son incarcerated.
According to the account, the minor was manipulated by an adult who gave him money and drugs to set a trash can on fire, an act for which he was ultimately charged.
"I have a kid in prison, and just the transportation to go see him costs me more than three thousand pesos," she said.
The man claimed that he has never had problems with alcoholism or criminal behavior and argued that, despite extreme need, he has never gone out to steal.
"I am neither a drunkard nor a addict, I am a normal person, but I have this need and every day I search through dumpsters," he expressed.
During the conversation, Lizardo Bello specifically emphasized that aspect and stated that many people, in similar circumstances, would choose to resort to crime.
“You're trying to find something without harming anyone, and that's not something just anyone can do,” he commented.
He also reported that he has been chased by the police while searching through waste for food or recyclable materials.
According to what he said, he has even received fines of up to 10,000 pesos for that practice. “After that, I had to keep digging through the trash to be able to pay the fine,” he stated.
The content creator announced that he will try to raise funds to help the man and other vulnerable individuals in the La Lisa community, where he resides.
He also explained that he will start a social support project in the neighborhood and requested collaboration from those who can donate food, clothing, or money.
The video brings back to the forefront the reality of many Cubans impacted by inflation, scarcity, and low wages, in a context where scenes of people rummaging through garbage containers for food or items to resell are becoming increasingly common.
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