In a nation where the elderly are among the most vulnerable and neglected by the system, with government pensions insufficient to cover even basic needs, many seniors find themselves forced to work or "hustle" just to survive. Instead of offering help or understanding, the Cuban regime clamps down on those in their golden years trying to make a living with whatever means they have.
This was the case for an elderly woman apprehended by police on Wednesday at El Curita Park in Havana for selling sodas. The incident was captured in a video shared by the independent outlet CubaNet, showing the precise moment when officers from the National Revolutionary Police arrested the woman and seized the goods she was selling.
"You have to treat me with respect as an elderly person. I could be your grandmother. Do you think I can feel okay with this?" the woman implored one of the officers while being restrained in front of onlookers.
Several witnesses denounced the injustice of the situation: "What you see here is an injustice. What more can I say?" expressed a man observing the scene. "She sells sodas, pens," added a woman, confirming that the elderly woman earned a living by selling basic items.
Another bystander was more assertive: "They confiscate everything and then impose a fine of 24,000 pesos, even if she's 80 years old. There's no consideration at all. The State gives you nothing, no food, nothing, and we're surviving on the little we can buy from small businesses. Since it’s not stolen, we can't sell it either," he protested indignantly.
"The officer was being rough, grabbing her things, swearing. Her phone fell, and he kept mistreating her. They’re taking everything from this little old lady, over 80 years old, who survives on that," lamented the same witness.
The video has sparked numerous reactions on social media, with many users condemning the inhumane treatment of seniors who, instead of receiving support, are criminalized for seeking sustenance amid the national economic collapse.
A Pattern of Harsh Treatment
In February, Héctor Julio Cedeño Negrín, a 71-year-old man, was violently arrested on Monte Street in Havana for holding a sign that said "Down with the dictatorship." A video shared by journalist Yosmany Mayeta showed the moment when the elderly man waved the sign and shouted the slogan until he was forcibly subdued by a plainclothes officer. The officer struggled to get him into the patrol car as the senior resisted vigorously.
Last December, a heartbreaking scene unfolded at Havana's International Airport, where a child selling candy ended up in a police car. Journalist Mario Vallejo of Univisión 23 posted a video on Facebook showing the young boy walking away in tears as an officer approached him. The child held a paint bucket, likely containing the candy.
The incident took place at Terminal 3 of the airport. Although the boy managed to walk some distance away, he couldn't prevent the officers from putting him in the police vehicle and taking him away.
Understanding the Challenges for Cuba's Elderly
Why are many elderly Cubans forced to work?
Many elderly Cubans are compelled to work because the state pensions they receive are insufficient to meet their basic needs, forcing them to find alternative ways to earn a living.
How does the Cuban government typically respond to elderly individuals trying to earn a living?
The Cuban government often responds with repression, penalizing even elderly individuals who attempt to earn a living, as seen in recent incidents where seniors selling goods have been arrested and fined.
What was the public reaction to the arrest of the elderly woman in Havana?
The public reaction was overwhelmingly negative, with many condemning the inhumane treatment of the elderly woman and expressing outrage over her criminalization for trying to survive economically.