A video shared on social media unveils the less touristy side of Havana, showcasing scenes of poverty and somber faces in the Cuban capital. On TikTok, the user ConoceCuba (@conocecuba71) posted a short clip displaying some of Havana's streets.
“This is what you see when you walk the streets of Havana,” stated the user.
The video highlights severe deterioration in the capital's buildings, trash accumulation on the streets, and the visible poverty among its residents, reflected in their sorrowful faces.
In the comments section, most netizens agreed that poverty has worsened in Cuba, with some drawing parallels to certain neighborhoods in Venezuela and other Latin American countries.
Recent Reports on Cuba's Dire Situation
Recently, the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) released the VII Report on the State of Social Rights in Cuba 2024, offering revealing insights into the Cuban reality.
The non-governmental organization emphasized in the document that "89% of Cuban families suffer from extreme poverty," a one percentage point increase from last year and a 13% rise since 2022.
One of the most striking findings is that “7 out of 10 Cubans have skipped breakfast, lunch, or dinner due to lack of money or food shortages.” Last year, Cuba was also labeled as the world's most miserable economy, according to the Annual Index by American economist Steve H. Hanke, a professor at Johns Hopkins University.
Even the regime has been forced to acknowledge the dire poverty its population endures. According to Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, speaking in front of Miguel Díaz-Canel in February of this year, there are 1,236 communities in Cuba living in extreme poverty.
Understanding the Poverty Crisis in Havana
To provide more context on the poverty crisis in Havana, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What is the current state of poverty in Havana?
Poverty in Havana is severe, with widespread deterioration of infrastructure, trash accumulation, and a significant portion of the population living in extreme poverty.
How has the Cuban government responded to the poverty crisis?
The Cuban regime has been forced to acknowledge the widespread poverty, with official reports stating that 1,236 communities are living in extreme poverty.
What are the key findings of the OCDH report?
The OCDH report highlights that 89% of Cuban families suffer from extreme poverty, and 7 out of 10 Cubans have had to skip meals due to financial constraints and food shortages.