Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel leveled criticism on Monday, highlighting the dire situation in Gaza where civilians are reportedly dying from "hunger and diseases without medical care." He accused Israel of committing genocide, using the social media platform X to voice his concerns once again. Ironically, Cuba itself is plagued with rising deaths due to malnutrition and a severe lack of medical resources, a predicament the Cuban government is reluctant to publicly acknowledge.
According to a report from Cuba's National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), deaths linked to malnutrition surged by 74.4% between 2022 and 2023, increasing from 43 to 75 fatalities. This alarming trend positions hunger as the 20th leading cause of death on the island. The majority of these deaths were among men (53), with a rising number of women affected (22). These figures align with the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases codes E40 to E46, which include severe hunger conditions like kwashiorkor and marasmus.
Vulnerable Populations Suffer Most
The food crisis is hitting the most vulnerable segments of the population hardest. For the first time, Unicef has included Cuba in its report on child food poverty, warning that less than 10% of Cuban children have access to essential foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, or fish. The elderly are also severely affected by food scarcity and the lack of nutritional supplements.
Regime's Double Standards
While thousands of Cuban patients are deprived of adequate treatment due to a shortage of medicines, and numerous families seek humanitarian visas to save their children, the Cuban regime focuses its rhetoric on the suffering in Gaza. Public events, like the concert by Silvio Rodríguez at the university steps, become platforms to chant "Freedom" solely for Palestine. This sharp contrast reveals the regime's hypocrisy, as it denounces shortages elsewhere but remains silent on the daily tragedies faced by its own citizens.
Understanding Cuba's Crisis and Government Response
What is the current state of malnutrition in Cuba?
Malnutrition-related deaths in Cuba have risen sharply, with a 74.4% increase between 2022 and 2023, highlighting a significant health crisis.
How does the Cuban government address its internal crises?
The Cuban government often remains silent on internal issues such as malnutrition and medical shortages, focusing instead on international matters like the situation in Gaza.
Who are the most affected by the food crisis in Cuba?
Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to food scarcity in Cuba, with limited access to necessary nutrition and supplements.