After much anticipation, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz has finally addressed the issue of homelessness in Cuba. Although he refrained from using the term explicitly, he acknowledged it as "a real issue we face." On Friday, Marrero visited the Rivera San Juan Social Protection Center in Matanzas, a visit the government is promoting as part of their "initiatives to address the growing homeless population," a term employed by the regime to describe those who live on the streets without food.
However, rather than signifying a substantial step toward resolving the social crisis, the visit merely highlighted the government's unfulfilled promises and manipulation of reality. The center, which opened in August, can accommodate 50 people and is reportedly focused on assisting those in vulnerable situations, with a special emphasis on the homeless.
During his visit, Marrero emphasized the need to "clarify a set of concepts" to "provide the appropriate treatment" for each case and stressed the importance of locating the families of those affected and placing these individuals "in the right location." This rhetoric rings hollow to those who have been facing social abandonment for years.
Social media quickly reacted, with comments noting that, as in previous instances, the visit coincided with the "miraculous" appearance of electricity in areas of Matanzas that typically endure power outages lasting up to 24 hours, further fueling skepticism about the true intentions behind such official gestures.
Locals in Matanzas criticized what they saw as a "stage production" intended to gloss over the country's reality while poverty and homelessness continue to rise. The Cuban government has repeatedly attempted to demonstrate that they are addressing the issue, but the solutions remain superficial.
In Ciego de Ávila, the prime minister had previously toured a similar center, which, like the one in Matanzas, was presented as an example of the revolution's "humanitarian character." Yet, the streets tell a different story: a growing wave of homeless individuals, elderly, and marginalized people surviving among refuse, without access to medical services or meaningful assistance to reintegrate them into society.
The government continues to label these individuals as "vulnerable" or "homeless," while denying the existence of beggars in Cuba. This denial was exemplified by former Minister of Labor and Social Security Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, who sparked outrage in July by claiming that Cuba has no beggars and those who appear to be are "fakers" or "drunks." Her comments ignited a wave of indignation, leading to her resignation just two days later. In his National Assembly appearance, Marrero attempted to distance the government from her remarks, but the damage was already done.
Simultaneously, a recent official report acknowledged that over 310,000 people currently live in poverty or social vulnerability, a stark reflection of the extreme conditions many Cubans endure. The population, weary of empty promises, continues to point out that the government prefers to manage the visibility of poverty rather than address its real causes.
Instead of tackling the problem's root, the government has focused on masking indigence with euphemisms, but citizen testimonies and official press reports expose the growing marginalization affecting thousands. A recent article in the provincial newspaper Girón depicted the plight of the "homeless" in Jagüey Grande, revealing the deplorable living conditions in these centers, which resemble "graveyards of living men" rather than offering solutions.
The same press that once denied the reality of poverty now lays bare the harsh truth: thousands of Cubans survive amid waste and misery without the necessary state support. The issue of homelessness mirrors a system that has failed to provide adequate care to the most vulnerable sectors.
While the government orchestrates visits portraying a Cuba without beggars, poverty escalates, and homelessness becomes an epidemic no one wants to acknowledge. Promises of social welfare and care remain empty words, and citizens continue to live in inhumane conditions.
Understanding Homelessness in Cuba
What has the Cuban government done to address homelessness?
The Cuban government has attempted to address homelessness through initiatives like opening social protection centers. However, these efforts have been criticized for being superficial and not addressing the root causes of the problem.
How has the public reacted to government efforts on homelessness?
The public has largely criticized the government's efforts, viewing them as staged and insufficient. Many believe that the government is more focused on managing the visibility of poverty rather than tackling its causes.
What are the living conditions like in Cuban social protection centers?
Reports suggest that the living conditions in these centers are deplorable, resembling "graveyards of living men" rather than providing real solutions to improve the lives of the homeless.