In the early hours of Monday, an elderly man known for begging in the Regla municipality of Havana was discovered deceased on the sidewalk. Images shared in the Facebook group "Crimes in Cuba" depicted the elderly man slumped against a wall, surrounded by what seemed to be his belongings.
According to the source, there were no hearses available for transporting the body, which appeared to have been moved using a tricycle. The two photos released showed a police officer, a patrol car, and local residents gathered at the scene. Until the publication of this report, no further information has been provided about this tragic discovery, which underscores once again the vulnerability of many elderly people living in Cuba.
The death of the elderly man under such neglectful circumstances sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Comments included sentiments such as, "How sad is the life of the elderly in this country"; "Rest in peace, another victim of a failed government incapable of caring for its people"; "Poor Cuba. God knows how hard that old man worked in his life to die on the street in complete abandonment, perhaps even from hypoglycemia"; and "What a tragedy for the helpless elderly. EPD, I didn't know him and it hurts," among others.
One user lamented, "This is the unfortunate reality of this cursed country. What's coming is worse than the apocalypse. I've seen master's degree professionals going hungry... so this was to be expected for that poor old man. May God receive him in the highest."
The Crisis Affecting Cuba's Elderly
Elderly individuals are undoubtedly one of the most impacted groups by the crises of recent years. It is increasingly common in Cuba to find older people surviving by begging, scavenging for food scraps, and even sleeping on the streets.
Begging has risen significantly on the island amid rampant inflation, shortages of basic goods, and meager wages and pensions. In recent months, people with mental or physical disabilities and elderly individuals without family or homes wander alone or sometimes in the company of a pet. They can be seen lying on old cardboard in streets, parks, portals, and bus stops across the country.
Simultaneously, more and more Cubans on social media have highlighted the severity of begging, particularly among the elderly—a reality that the regime claimed for decades was absent from the nation's streets.
Understanding the Plight of Cuba's Elderly
Why are elderly people in Cuba particularly vulnerable?
Elderly individuals in Cuba are especially vulnerable due to a combination of factors such as low pensions, inflation, and scarcity of basic necessities, leaving many without adequate means to support themselves.
What are some common survival strategies for elderly Cubans?
Many elderly Cubans resort to begging, searching for food in garbage, and sleeping on the streets as survival strategies in the face of economic hardship and lack of social support.