Robert Evangelista, a Cuban content creator, recently shared an emotional video on TikTok where he tearfully highlighted the neglect faced by the elderly in Cuba. Many seniors are left with no choice but to beg, scavenge for food, or survive on pensions that barely cover their most basic needs.
"The way seniors are treated in this country is abuse from start to finish," Evangelista declared, recounting an encounter that sparked his outrage: an elderly woman approached his car seeking money while he was stopped at a traffic light.
The influencer shared, "The way she asked me, I knew she wasn't someone from the streets. She's a woman who has run out of options and had to resort to begging." In response, Evangelista gave her all the Cuban currency he had on him.
Struggles of Surviving on Meager Pensions
With a breaking voice, Evangelista questioned how thousands of retirees on the island manage to survive. "With 1,500 pesos, you can't even buy a bottle of oil, and that's no secret," he lamented.
He also criticized the challenges faced by many seniors in accessing their pensions through electronic transfers, particularly those unfamiliar with digital technologies.
"How can you pay an elderly person via transfer if they don’t know how to use a phone? That's abuse," he stated.
Negligence in Healthcare and Lack of Social Support
Evangelista's criticisms extended to the treatment of the elderly in some hospitals. He recounted witnessing an older man being transferred between stretchers without proper care or consideration for his age and lack of accompaniment.
"You can't just leave a sick man in a corner because he might not be able to offer you a bag," he reproached, urging healthcare professionals to maintain compassion and humanity towards older patients.
He also questioned the absence of social support for those aging without resources or family backing. "The elderly are dying in this country, and nobody cares. No one talks about the elderly," he charged.
Widespread Hardships Among Cuban Seniors
The video garnered nearly 44,000 views, over 7,900 likes, and 663 comments at the time of reporting. The influencer's account resonates with numerous Cuban seniors who have voiced the difficulties of aging on the island, where pensions fall short against the high cost of essential items like food and medicine.
In September 2025, there was a partial pension increase, raising pensions between 2,473 and 3,999 pesos to 4,000 pesos monthly, while lower pensions received a fixed increase of 1,528 pesos. Nonetheless, these amounts remain insufficient for basic living expenses.
A survey by the Independent Union Association of Cuba, involving 506 retirees across five provinces, found that 99% felt their pension didn't meet their needs for food, housing, and medication, and 90.7% continued working post-retirement to make ends meet.
Statistics from the National Office of Statistics and Information indicate that, by the end of 2025, 26.7% of Cuba's population was aged 60 or older. The demographic aging and emigration have intensified the struggles of many seniors living alone or without family support.
The content creator, who has previously engaged in aid initiatives for vulnerable families, concluded with a call for solidarity towards those who have devoted much of their lives to work and now face a scarcity-ridden old age.
"Let's extend more help to the elderly who need it," he urged.
Understanding the Challenges Facing Cuba's Elderly Population
What are the main issues faced by the elderly in Cuba?
Cuba's elderly face neglect, insufficient pensions, difficulties in accessing digital services for pension collection, poor healthcare treatment, and lack of social support, which forces many to beg or work beyond retirement.
How have pensions changed in Cuba recently?
In September 2025, Cuba implemented a partial pension increase, raising pensions between 2,473 and 3,999 pesos to 4,000 pesos monthly, with lower pensions receiving a fixed increase of 1,528 pesos. However, these amounts are still insufficient for basic living expenses.
What percentage of Cuba's population is elderly?
By the end of 2025, 26.7% of Cuba's population was aged 60 or older, a demographic trend that, coupled with emigration, exacerbates the challenges faced by many elderly living alone or without familial support.