A heart-wrenching video shared on Instagram by the profile @vismark_break_free44 captures the stark reality faced by an elderly Cuban woman. After receiving her monthly pension of 1,500 pesos, she despairingly asks, "What can I buy with this?" Moments later, a neighbor offers her a bottle of oil, priced exactly at 1,500 pesos, consuming her entire monthly pension.
While the woman's name remains unknown, her plight reflects the hardship endured by countless retirees in Cuba. The island’s elderly population struggles with shortages, frequent power outages, and a lack of essential medications and food, often facing complete abandonment.
The economic crisis in Cuba has rendered senior citizens the most vulnerable demographic. Inflation is rampant, and basic services are scarce, exacerbating their isolation and neglect. Many older adults find themselves alone, with immediate family having emigrated and no governmental support, leaving them reliant on the charity of neighbors and friends.
These individuals, who dedicated their working lives to the Cuban state, now find themselves ensnared in extreme poverty. They endure a resource-scarce existence, devoid of support, and denied a dignified old age. The abandoned elderly in Cuba are the most poignant representation of a system that exploited them and now neglects them.
Understanding the Plight of Cuban Pensioners
What challenges do Cuban retirees face today?
Cuban retirees contend with severe shortages of food and medicine, frequent power outages, and a lack of basic services, all while experiencing abandonment and isolation.
How does inflation impact the elderly in Cuba?
Inflation has drastically reduced the purchasing power of pensions, leaving many elderly unable to afford basic necessities, thus exacerbating their financial struggles.