An elderly Cuban woman was captured on camera while searching for food in the trash bins of Havana. The footage was taken by opposition member and former political prisoner Silverio Portal, who wanted to document it "so the entire world can see the critical situation caused by the system," according to his statements.
Although Silverio did not speak with the elderly woman, he spent a considerable amount of time filming her search. Amidst the crisis shaking the country, more and more elderly and other vulnerable individuals are surviving by scavenging through garbage. The harsh situation imposed by the regime has left the elderly as one of the most affected groups by the crisis.
Every day, it becomes increasingly common to find elderly people in Cuba who survive by begging, searching for food remnants in the trash, and even sleeping on the streets. One such individual is Guillermo Durán, who survives by collecting food scraps he finds in the dumpsters of Old Havana, Centro Habana, and Plaza, in the country's capital. According to ADN Cuba, Guillermo sells the collected scraps, known as "sancocho," for 500 pesos per tank.
This 57-year-old man shared that he gathers two tanks of sancocho daily, selling each for 500 pesos, which allows him to earn 1,000 pesos every day, as reported by the news portal in a video posted on Facebook.
Meanwhile, a mother and her daughter received help from several Cubans who were moved by seeing them collect trash in a landfill in the capital. Another elderly Cuban woman, named Celeste, lamented that "there is no food, I'm just skin and bones," amidst a scenario where she also cannot find medication for her anemia.
Cuba's Growing Crisis: Elderly Forced to Scavenge for Survival
Further insights into the dire situation in Cuba reveal a growing number of elderly individuals forced to scavenge for food. Below are some questions and answers that highlight the severity of this issue.
What led to the elderly woman searching for food in trash bins?
The ongoing economic crisis in Cuba, exacerbated by the regime's policies, has left many elderly individuals without adequate food and resources, forcing them to search for food in trash bins.
Who documented the elderly woman's plight?
The footage was captured by Silverio Portal, an opposition member and former political prisoner, who aimed to raise awareness of the critical conditions in Cuba.
How do others in Cuba survive amidst the crisis?
Many elderly people and vulnerable individuals in Cuba survive by begging, collecting food remnants from the trash, and selling scraps. Some, like Guillermo Durán, sell collected food scraps to make a living.