Cuban influencer Jonathan Montalvo, widely recognized on social media as @JonathanFlow23, has unveiled a touching video captured at Paseo del Prado in Havana. The footage reveals the harsh life of an eight-year-old boy struggling to survive on the streets.
The young boy resides in Mantilla with his 81-year-old grandmother, as both of his parents are incarcerated. Every day, he finds his way to Centro Habana using any available transport, seeking money in the bustling areas of the city.
In the quickly viral video, Montalvo asks the child, "Why are you on the street without shoes?"
The child's response has left thousands speechless: "My mom and dad are in prison because they were caught selling marijuana. My grandmother is taking care of me, but she's very old, she's 81. That's why I have to go out and find food."
Deeply moved, the influencer decided to assist the boy by offering him essentials such as fruits, powdered milk, and personal items.
"This video broke my heart. I believe I could have done more to help that barefoot child in Havana, whose parents are imprisoned and who has only an elderly grandmother," Jonathan wrote in his post.
The boy has been living without his parents for three years, receives no social assistance, and roams the streets in search of food.
The situation has sparked outrage, sadness, and solidarity among the influencer's followers. Many are calling for immediate government intervention in cases like this, which highlight the severe social and economic crisis in Cuba and the institutional neglect of vulnerable families.
Addressing Social Crisis in Cuba
What prompted Jonathan Montalvo to help the child in Havana?
Jonathan Montalvo was deeply moved by the child's situation, seeing him barefoot and struggling due to his parents' imprisonment and his elderly grandmother's inability to provide.
How has the public reacted to the video shared by Jonathan Montalvo?
The video has generated a wave of emotion, with many expressing outrage and sadness, demanding that the government take immediate action to address such pressing social issues.
What does this situation reveal about the current conditions in Cuba?
The child's plight is indicative of the broader social and economic challenges in Cuba, marked by institutional neglect and the struggles faced by vulnerable families.