A Cuban man named Miguel Ángel has made a heartfelt plea for assistance through a video shared on Facebook, revealing that he has survived solely on plantains for the past three days due to an inability to afford other food.
In the video, captured by his acquaintance David Vela, Miguel Ángel explains, "David, I came to your house because I am desperate. I've been eating just plantains for three days because I can't afford to buy food." Vela visited Miguel Ángel after learning about his dire circumstances.
With a voice filled with emotion and a visibly frail body, Miguel Ángel continues, "All I have is plantain, nothing else. I'm asking the world to help me, not to let me die of hunger because of my need."
Miguel Ángel's health issues prevent him from working. He suffers from diabetes, severe circulation problems, and foot tumors, along with having undergone two abdominal surgeries. His emaciated condition is evident throughout the video.
"I've got tumors in my feet that are gradually being cut out because of circulation issues; I'm diabetic and have had two surgeries on my abdomen," he explains.
David Vela, who recorded and uploaded the video, succinctly described Miguel Ángel's plight: "He's starving, and he's not asking for wealth or anything else, just food. He really needs help."
The urgency of Miguel Ángel's plea is clear: "I don't want riches; I just want food, something to eat. Look at how thin I am, just food."
Vela has shared his WhatsApp number, inviting anyone willing to assist to reach out directly.
Miguel Ángel's situation is far from unique. Cuba is experiencing an unprecedented food crisis, with 96.91% of the population lacking sufficient access to food, according to the 2024 Food Monitor Program. Seven out of ten Cubans skip at least one daily meal, and among those over 61, the figure rises to eight out of ten.
Older adults and those with chronic illnesses, like Miguel Ángel, are especially vulnerable. Minimum pensions fall short at under 4,000 Cuban pesos, less than $10 on the informal market, while necessities like rice and oil are prohibitively expensive, costing over 400 CUP per pound and up to 2,000 CUP per liter, respectively. Plantains have become a staple for many, as seen with an elderly man in Santiago de Cuba in 2023 who relied solely on this fruit for sustenance.
In April, a hypertensive woman and her son with a mental illness in Holguín went three days without food. Malnutrition-related deaths in Cuba surged by 74% between 2022 and 2023, prompting the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to warn in June about the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis on the island.
Understanding Cuba's Food Crisis
What is causing the food crisis in Cuba?
Cuba's food crisis is primarily due to the economic policies of the communist regime, which have led to shortages and inflation, making essential goods unaffordable for many.
How are older adults affected by the food crisis in Cuba?
Older adults, like Miguel Ángel, are among the most vulnerable, often unable to work and reliant on inadequate pensions that don't cover basic food costs.
What can be done to help those affected by the crisis?
International aid, local support from communities, and policy changes are needed to alleviate the food shortage and provide immediate relief to those suffering.