Yirmara Torres Hernández, the former president of the Cuban Journalists Union (UPEC) in Matanzas, delivered a powerful and heartfelt message on social media, highlighting the severe food crisis and extreme thinness affecting the Cuban population. Torres, who has previously criticized the regime, expressed her concerns on Facebook, stating, "Many people in Cuba are starving. Yes, starving."
In her emotional post, Torres recounted recent encounters with acquaintances she hadn't seen in a while, noting their alarming weight loss. "This thinness is not due to diets or illnesses. It has only one cause: hunger," wrote Torres, who stepped down from her position in 2023.
A Basic Hunger, Not for Delicacies
She clarified that this is a fundamental hunger, "hunger for bread, milk, rice, beans, any kind of protein," even the "egg that isn't available and, when it appears, costs more than a beef steak." Torres emphasized that in Cuba, where bread has become a luxury and pork is scarce, malnutrition affects people of all ages, from solitary elderly individuals to young families with formal jobs.
"Thinness... or Madness"
In a dramatic twist, Torres shared her personal struggle with the lack of electricity and internet connection to share her thoughts. She recounted how her autocorrect changed the word "thinness" to "madness," admitting she was tempted to leave it that way, as the severe weight loss around her stems from "the insanity of our way of life."
A Painful Comparison
Torres evoked memories of her teenage years, recalling the "Special Period" in Cuba during the 1990s, when a disease known as "very-very" emerged, referring to severe malnutrition. She warned that she has been noticing similar symptoms in the current population, affecting not only the most vulnerable but also families with relatively stable incomes.
"In Cuba, many families are starving and in need. They might not want to admit it, but that's the reality," she stressed. According to Torres, only those with multiple jobs, foreign aid, or additional income can afford the "luxury" of not going hungry.
A Cry That Must Not Be Ignored
Torres Hernández's text is not just a heartbreaking testimony but also an urgent call to awareness. The journalist lamented that while many suffer in silence, others choose to ignore or overlook the reality. "It frightens me. But what hurts the most is that some people don't see it... or pretend not to see it," she concluded.
Understanding Cuba's Food Crisis
What did Yirmara Torres Hernández reveal about the food crisis in Cuba?
Yirmara Torres Hernández highlighted the severe food shortages and extreme thinness affecting the Cuban population, indicating that many are experiencing hunger due to a lack of basic food items like bread and proteins.
How does Torres describe the current malnutrition in Cuba?
Torres describes the malnutrition as a basic hunger for essential foods. She points out that even simple items, such as eggs, are scarce and expensive, making it difficult for many to meet their nutritional needs.