An elderly Cuban man is living under inhumane conditions in the town of Potrerillo, Cienfuegos province, forced to sleep outdoors while waiting for a promised home. The alert was raised by Yamil Cuéllar on Facebook, highlighting the plight of Leonardo Pérez Valdés, also known as Menéndez, who suffers from cerebral ischemia, leaving him almost bedridden.
After years of hard work, the elderly in Cuba face increasing hardships daily. Just a week ago, an elderly man collapsed on the streets of Santiago de Cuba, apparently due to hunger, reported local journalist Yosmany Mayeta. A follower of the independent reporter's page shared poignant images of the man lying on the sidewalk on Los Tejados Street in the said province, while neighbors assisted him with coffee and bread.
Amid a troubling rise in homelessness in the country, a Cuban mother and her son brought lunch to an elderly man living on the streets in Havana. The woman, identified on Facebook as Mayrelis Ramos Rivero, recounted that she had gone out to buy an avocado and some bananas for lunch and found the elderly man eating scraps from a garbage bin on her way back.
More Cases of Elderly Struggling in Cuba
In April, Facebook user Irma Broek reported another heartbreaking case involving Juan, an elderly man living in La Gloria, Campechuela municipality, Granma. Juan lives in dire conditions: sleeping on palm leaves in a shack that could collapse at any moment, with a dirt floor, no furniture, and lacking basic necessities. His emaciated body is a clear sign of severe malnutrition.
These stories starkly depict the harsh reality faced by many of Cuba's most vulnerable citizens.
Understanding the Plight of the Elderly in Cuba
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide better insight into the challenges faced by the elderly in Cuba.
What are the living conditions like for the elderly in Cuba?
Many elderly in Cuba live in severe poverty, lacking basic necessities such as proper shelter, food, and medical care. They often depend on the help of neighbors or charitable acts from strangers.
Why are so many elderly people in Cuba living on the streets?
The Cuban government's inability to provide adequate social support and housing for its aging population is a significant factor. Economic hardships and systemic neglect have exacerbated the issue.
What can be done to improve the situation for the elderly in Cuba?
Improving the situation would require substantial policy changes, increased funding for social services, and international aid focused on providing basic needs and medical care for the elderly.