A resident from Santiago de Cuba has raised concerns about the increasing poverty levels in the nation. He spoke during the second airing of the radio program "Shared Criteria," broadcast nationwide on Radio Rebelde this past Wednesday.
Identified as L. H. Despaigne, the caller painted a grim picture to Miguel Díaz-Canel of a widespread issue across the island: “We see vulnerable individuals on the streets, scavenging through trash, begging for alms, money, and food,” he stated.
Despaigne believes that addressing extreme poverty in Cuba is "the most crucial task for the party from a political standpoint at this moment," warning that the number of affected individuals "continues to grow daily."
The program, designed as a platform for public engagement where citizens call in live, received 56 calls in this second session—double the number from its premiere on September 23. However, all comments undergo a preliminary screening before being aired.
Díaz-Canel acknowledged the severity of the issue, attributing the crisis to the tightening of U.S. sanctions, the Special Period, and the aging population, yet he did not address the current internal economic management's role in his response.
He admitted to "regrettable inequalities that have accumulated, causing some individuals, families, and communities to be at a disadvantage." He further asserted that "this is not the humanitarian vocation of the revolution."
The leader disclosed that a recent assessment identified "more than 800,000 people" in vulnerable situations across Cuba.
Díaz-Canel emphasized that the government is implementing "over 32 social programs specifically addressing family issues," suggesting that Party members, the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), the Federation of Cuban Women, and social workers collaborate in local councils to identify and assist the most vulnerable.
In April, images of a man searching for food in trash bins in Santiago de Cuba circulated widely. By May, instances of individuals begging at the Matanzas terminal were documented.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz had already specified by late July that there were 876,522 vulnerable cases in the country, and by October 4, that number had risen to 883,000. This will be the number of recipients for a new monthly food assistance program provided by the regime, offering five pounds of rice, one of sugar, and one of beans.
Understanding Cuba's Poverty and Social Assistance Programs
What did L. H. Despaigne say about poverty in Cuba?
L. H. Despaigne highlighted the dire situation of vulnerable individuals in Cuba, noting that they are often seen scavenging through trash and begging for food and money.
How has the Cuban government responded to the poverty crisis?
The government has recognized the issue and claims to be running over 32 social programs aimed at addressing family issues, along with a new monthly food assistance program.
What factors did Díaz-Canel cite as contributing to Cuba's economic crisis?
Díaz-Canel pointed to the tightening of U.S. sanctions, the Special Period, and the aging population as key contributors to the current economic difficulties, without mentioning internal economic policies.