An 83-year-old man from Ciego de Ávila has brought attention to the dire circumstances faced by many elderly in Cuba. He revealed in a video, shared on social media by user @DiazVismar38292, that he has gone days without eating, claiming to survive "on air." The man, named Orlando Regueiro Castellano, hails from the municipality of Baraguá and expressed his struggle to afford food, often wandering the streets in search of "a piece of bread," with few able to assist him. "I'm starving... just a piece of bread to eat," he stated.
Orlando recounted approaching police officers to report his distress, only to be told they "couldn't do anything." He also attempted to enter a nursing home but was informed it was "very full" and he would have to wait. When asked, "How do you live then?" in the video, he answered, "On air... dying."
The elderly man was in the city to support his sister, who was hospitalized and expected to be discharged soon. During the conversation, his interlocutor gave him 50 pesos to buy something, a gesture Orlando appreciated, reiterating that all he sought was a "piece of bread."
The video has gone viral on X (previously Twitter), where the uploader criticized, "You work all your life only to end up abandoned and adrift," blaming the Cuban political system for the neglect of the elderly.
Widespread Crisis Among the Elderly in Cuba
Orlando's plight is one of many, highlighting the severe conditions faced by elderly Cubans. Minimum pensions in Cuba hover around 1,500 Cuban pesos (just over three dollars on the informal market), which is insufficient to cover basic needs amid rampant inflation, shortages of food and medicine, and high prices in private markets. Although recent pension increases have been approved, NGOs argue these measures are far from adequate.
In Matanzas, elderly individuals have been documented collecting cans or scavenging through garbage to survive. In Santiago de Cuba, an elderly woman fishes for crabs to feed her grandchildren, while in Holguín, reports have surfaced of seniors living in makeshift homes without access to water or electricity. A 94-year-old woman in Havana described the current crisis as "worse than the Special Period" due to the lack of food, medicine, and electricity.
The mass migration of youth has left thousands of elderly individuals without family support. Many rely on neighbors or remittances from abroad, which are often delayed or rapidly devalued by inflation.
State social assistance is nearly non-existent, nursing homes are severely limited in capacity and their conditions are deplorable. Combined with the deteriorating public health system, this makes it even more challenging to care for this vulnerable group.
Orlando's account underscores a structural crisis severely affecting Cuba's senior population. While authorities acknowledge the demographic aging and the presence of communities in extreme poverty, the stories that emerge reveal an institutional response that remains inadequate amidst the urgent needs of tens of thousands of elderly people.
Understanding the Elderly Crisis in Cuba
What are the main challenges faced by the elderly in Cuba?
The elderly in Cuba face numerous challenges including inadequate pensions, food and medicine shortages, and limited access to healthcare. Many also lack family support due to mass youth migration.
How does the Cuban political system contribute to the neglect of the elderly?
The Cuban political system is criticized for its insufficient support and resources allocated to the elderly, resulting in widespread neglect and inadequate living conditions for many seniors.
How do elderly Cubans cope with financial instability?
Many elderly Cubans rely on informal means such as collecting recyclables, receiving remittances from abroad, or depending on neighbors for assistance due to insufficient pensions and high living costs.
What measures are being taken to support the elderly in Cuba?
While there have been recent pension increases, these measures are widely regarded as inadequate. The state provides minimal social assistance, and nursing home capacities are limited, highlighting the need for more robust support systems.