A recent social media post has struck a chord with thousands of Cubans both within and outside the island, shining a light on the severe economic and humanitarian crisis gripping Cuba. The account, shared by Jorge Luis Marrero Carbajal on Facebook, recounts a heartbreaking scene encountered while taking out the trash: an elderly man, naked, rummaging through garbage and chewing on leftover food.
"I went to throw out the trash. To my shock, there was an elderly man inside the dumpster, stark naked, gnawing on scraps like a stray cat. I've seen people digging through trash for months, but this was too much. The pain was so intense that I lost my memory for a few seconds," Marrero wrote in a post that quickly went viral.
This narrative underscores a grim reality occurring daily in many Cuban cities. The scarcity of food, medicine, and basic necessities has forced numerous individuals—including the elderly and children—to forage for sustenance among waste.
"I've tried to steel myself against this issue, but this was overwhelming," Marrero admitted, noting that witnessing people scavenging in dumpsters has become "commonplace and routine" in recent months.
The scene ignited a wave of reactions among Cuban users, many of whom shared similar experiences and criticized the government's silence in the face of increasingly visible poverty.
Marrero's testimony adds to the growing chorus of citizen complaints regarding the severe food and healthcare crisis afflicting the nation. In cities such as Holguín, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba, social media has emerged as the primary outlet for highlighting cases of homelessness, malnutrition, and neglect.
Independent economists warn that Cuba is experiencing one of its worst crises in six decades, characterized by out-of-control inflation, shortages of essential goods, prolonged blackouts, and a collapsed social welfare system.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade itself has acknowledged delays in the distribution of basic ration packs and failures in food supply, while black market prices skyrocket weekly.
Despite the outrage sparked by Marrero's account, state media continues to deny the rise in homelessness in Cuba and has not reported on the plight of the homeless, even as reports of destitution increase on social platforms.
"I don't want to witness something like that again. The pain is too great," Marrero concluded his post, which has garnered thousands of comments and reactions. For many, this incident is a stark portrayal of a country silently crumbling, where human dignity is threatened daily by hunger, neglect, and institutional indifference.
Understanding Cuba's Economic and Humanitarian Crisis
What triggered the recent viral social media post about Cuba?
The post went viral after Jorge Luis Marrero Carbajal shared a distressing encounter with an elderly man scavenging for food in a dumpster, highlighting the severe poverty in Cuba.
How are social media platforms being used in Cuba during the crisis?
Social media has become a vital avenue for Cubans to expose cases of poverty, malnutrition, and neglect, especially in the absence of official acknowledgment from state media.
What are the major economic challenges facing Cuba today?
Cuba is grappling with rampant inflation, shortages of basic goods, extended power outages, and a failing social welfare system.
How has the Cuban government responded to the rising poverty levels?
Despite growing evidence and public outcry, state media and the government have largely remained silent on the increase in homelessness and poverty.