Cuban actor Roberto Perdomo has opened up about the financial struggles that keep him from leaving Cuba to visit his grandson, Leo, who was born on April 17, 2025, abroad. Perdomo disclosed that his monthly retirement pension is a mere 6,000 pesos, insufficient for an international flight ticket.
This revelation came during an interview with Familia Cubana TV, which aired in late July.
After decades in the entertainment industry, including a 13-year stint as Lieutenant Colonel Fernando in the police series "Tras la Huella" and recent roles in the soap opera "Regreso al Corazón," Perdomo retired just a few months ago. However, he finds his pension to be offensively low.
"I've retired. Do you know how much I get? 6,000 pesos. They say they invented some law in 2021 that changed how it's calculated," Perdomo explained, visibly frustrated.
To highlight the purchasing power of his pension, he shared a stark example: "Four days ago, I bought 10 eggs for 1,000 pesos. Now, I have 4,000 left."
Financial Constraints and Family Separation
When asked why he doesn't emigrate, Perdomo was candid: "I can leave whenever I want, but I don't have the money. My pension doesn't cover a plane ticket to see my grandson."
He also expressed a desire not to burden anyone else. "I need to figure out where I'd end up, how I'd manage, and what I'd do. I won't impose on anyone or become anyone's burden."
His former partner, Daisy, requested a divorce to emigrate after 12 years together, a separation Perdomo described as one of the "harmful consequences of this Cuban saga" that tears apart families, marriages, and children.
Past Struggles and Losses
In 1995, Perdomo moved to Spain, where he lived for seven years with his partner Mercedes, who passed away there. Her death plunged him into deep depression and alcoholism, from which he eventually recovered before returning to Cuba in 2002 to revive his television career.
Tragically, the losses continued. His sister died of cancer in Spain on Mother's Day in 2025, and Perdomo couldn't say goodbye due to financial constraints.
By July 2026, he had already voiced his concerns that theater salaries don't even cover transportation costs. His situation highlights the widespread hardship faced by Cuban retirees, whose pensions in 2026 equate to only a few dollars on the informal exchange market.
Understanding Roberto Perdomo's Situation and Cuban Retirement Challenges
Why can't Roberto Perdomo visit his grandson?
Roberto Perdomo cannot visit his grandson because his retirement pension of 6,000 pesos is insufficient to afford an international flight ticket.
How does Roberto Perdomo describe his pension?
Roberto Perdomo describes his pension as offensively low, highlighting the financial difficulties faced by Cuban retirees.
What impact has the Cuban economic situation had on Perdomo's family?
The economic situation in Cuba has led to family separations, including Perdomo's divorce and the inability to visit his sister before her death.