The ongoing crisis in Cuba continues to paint a grim picture of neglect: an elderly man, a graduate from the prestigious San Alejandro School of Art, now survives by selling drawings on the streets of Havana to afford a meal. This story was highlighted on Tuesday in the Facebook group Mipyme HABANA, where a user shared their encounter with the man near the Maternidad Obrera Hospital in Marianao.
"He asked me for 10 pesos... and although I didn't have much either, I gave him 50. But what struck me wasn't his need; it was what he was doing in silence: drawing," the witness wrote.
The observer described the elderly man holding an old piece of cardboard with a blank sheet, his trembling hand drawing steady lines to form the silhouette of the Havana Cathedral. The scene was even more poignant when the observer learned that the man had studied at the San Alejandro School of Art in the 1980s.
Despite his academic background and undeniable talent, this Cuban artist is now forced to sell his artwork to eat. "In any other country, he would be enjoying his old age with dignity, surrounded by respect, perhaps teaching his craft. But here he was, forgotten, with weary eyes and shattered hope," lamented the online user.
This account starkly highlights the harsh reality faced by thousands of Cubans: doctors, teachers, engineers, and other professionals who dedicated their lives to the nation and now find themselves in abject poverty. "The blame isn't his; it's a system that has robbed them of even the right to age with dignity," the post concluded.
Photos shared reveal the elderly man sitting on the ground, drawing the Havana Cathedral—a symbol of a talent that persists despite hunger and fatigue, capturing the silent plight of those aging without support on the island.
The Dire Situation of Cuban Seniors
The plight of many elderly in Cuba is increasingly dire, with highly educated professionals reduced to destitution. An ex-student found his former chemistry teacher abandoned in a vacant lot, without family or resources, surviving on the generosity of strangers. This man, who devoted decades to teaching, now spends his days alone in dire conditions, lacking any institutional support.
State neglect becomes even more evident when considering that, despite an official increase in pensions, thousands of retirees receive just around 10 dollars a month. This amount doesn't even cover basic nutritional needs, pushing many seniors to seek street income or rely on charity. A recent report revealed that 89% of the Cuban population lives in extreme poverty.
The scene is bleak: former doctors, teachers, artists, and engineers now survive by begging or selling items on the street. The value of their work and years of service to the country have been disregarded by a system that has left them with no options or future. Even the regime has had to admit that at least 310,000 people live in social vulnerability. However, this number could be much larger when considering those who survive on minimal incomes, without regular access to food, medicine, or decent housing. Aging in Cuba has become a sentence of hardship.
Understanding the Crisis of Elderly Poverty in Cuba
What is the current situation for elderly professionals in Cuba?
Many elderly professionals in Cuba, who were once doctors, teachers, artists, or engineers, now find themselves living in poverty, often relying on street sales or charity to survive.
How does the Cuban pension system impact retirees?
The Cuban pension system provides retirees with only about 10 dollars a month, insufficient to meet basic needs, forcing many to seek additional income on the streets or depend on charity.
What percentage of the Cuban population lives in extreme poverty?
A recent report indicates that 89% of the Cuban population lives in extreme poverty, highlighting the severe economic challenges faced by the nation.