A 29-year-old Cuban mother expressed her desire to leave Cuba because “this country isn't moving forward.” She made these remarks in an interview with Martí Noticias, which shared a short clip of the conversation on their social media platforms.
“I can't bear to see my daughters go hungry,” said the mother of two girls and resident of Havana, highlighting a growing issue in Cuban society: food insecurity. According to the VII Report on the State of Social Rights in Cuba 2024, presented by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) less than a month ago, "89% of Cuban families suffer from extreme poverty," a percentage point higher than last year and 13% more than in 2022.
One of the report's most revealing data points is that "seven out of ten Cubans have skipped breakfast, lunch, or dinner due to lack of money or food shortages." It also notes that "only 15% of Cubans have been able to eat three uninterrupted meals," a stark reality in the severe inflation crisis gripping the island.
These statistics have led to extreme decisions by Cuban mothers who struggle to feed their children amidst widespread scarcity. In February, a Cuban mother took to social media to sell three household appliances, which she described as “the only valuable items left” in her home, to buy food for her sick daughter.
“I urgently need to sell these three items together. They are the only valuable things left in my house, and I’m selling them to buy food for my daughters. I have nothing to give them to eat," said Yéssica Peña.
Peña is one of the mothers who protested in front of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) in November 2023, demanding better care and quality of life for their children with severe illnesses. Her daughter, Amelia de las Mercedes Téllez Peña, needs an esophageal transplant and other resources to be able to eat.
Another young Cuban mother attempted suicide in March due to the inability to feed her son with special needs. Evelin Pineda, also 29, took a high dose of psychotropic drugs because she had no food for her son, who suffers from cerebral palsy and other severe conditions, she confessed to Radio Martí.
Understanding the Crisis of Food Insecurity in Cuba
The following questions and answers provide further insight into the ongoing food insecurity crisis affecting Cuban families, as highlighted in the article.
What percentage of Cuban families are experiencing extreme poverty?
According to the VII Report on the State of Social Rights in Cuba 2024, 89% of Cuban families are suffering from extreme poverty.
How many Cubans have skipped meals due to financial constraints or food shortages?
The report indicates that seven out of ten Cubans have skipped breakfast, lunch, or dinner due to lack of money or food shortages.
What actions are Cuban mothers taking to feed their children amidst the crisis?
Cuban mothers are taking extreme measures, such as selling their household valuables and protesting in front of government ministries, to secure food and care for their children.
What are some of the severe conditions affecting Cuban children mentioned in the article?
The article mentions children suffering from severe conditions such as the need for an esophageal transplant and cerebral palsy.