A heart-wrenching video of a 92-year-old Cuban woman asking for spare change to afford a meal at a dining hall has touched thousands on social media, highlighting the worsening poverty among the elderly in Cuba.
Captured and shared on Facebook by Lizardo Bello González, the video was taken during a chance encounter as he waited for a friend. As the elderly woman approached, she expressed, "Even just a few pesos to go to the dining hall and get lunch."
Bello González began recording, stating, "This is for the world to see how things are in Cuba, folks. For the world to see," as he filmed the woman walking with a yellow bag.
The elderly woman revealed that she had never had to ask for help before and explained how her vision problems hinder her mobility, saying, "I can't cross the street because of my bad eyesight," and added, "Yes, for the dining hall, anything, because I've never asked before."
Moved by her plight, Bello González gave her the 300 Cuban pesos he had on him. "I can't give more because that's all I have, you know? But it's three hundred pesos; at least she can get a little pizza," he remarked, visibly affected by the encounter.
From a Chance Meeting to a Community Effort
Beyond capturing the moment, Bello González used the post to promote a project aimed at helping the elderly. Every Friday at 8 AM, he organizes a free breakfast for seniors at a location behind the María Fernández Polyclinic, at the intersection of streets 165 and 164. He hopes to expand this assistance with the community's help.
"Help me help them, please, my people. With everyone's little bit, we can achieve this, maybe ensuring them at least one meal every day or at least three times a week. Our elders desperately need it," he wrote alongside the video.
A Widespread Issue Across Cuba
This woman's story is not an isolated incident. Reports of seniors forced to seek assistance to eat have been increasing. In April, another elderly woman in Bayamo was filmed asking for money on the street, and in May, neighbors came to the aid of an elderly woman who hadn't eaten in two days.
The dire situation of retirees is further evidenced by data from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, which indicates that 79% of people over 70 cannot eat three meals a day due to lack of food or resources. Additionally, eight out of ten Cubans over 61 frequently have to skip breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Exacerbating the situation, the minimum pension, set at 4,000 pesos monthly since September 2025, amounts to only a few dollars at the unofficial exchange rate, insufficient for basic nutrition.
In June, Granma's provincial government admitted it lacked resources to pay pensions to over 111,000 retirees. This weekend, the regime announced that small and medium-sized enterprises, along with other local businesses, would help fund the pension system, illustrating the state's struggle to support over 1.7 million retirees.
Meanwhile, citizen-led initiatives and religious organizations have become lifelines for many seniors. "So that people like you no longer suffer from hunger or need, at least have a secure breakfast in the morning," summarized Bello González on his motivation to assist.
Addressing Elderly Poverty in Cuba
How are elderly Cubans coping with poverty?
Many elderly Cubans are forced to ask for help to meet basic needs like food, due to inadequate pensions and scarce resources. Community initiatives and charitable efforts have become crucial for their survival.
What is the Cuban government doing about the pension crisis?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the pension crisis and is involving small and medium-sized enterprises to help fund the pension system, reflecting the financial strain it faces in supporting retirees.
What initiatives are in place to support elderly Cubans?
Citizen-led efforts, such as free meals organized by individuals like Lizardo Bello González, along with support from religious organizations, play a vital role in assisting the elderly with basic needs.