In Communist Cuba, Elderly Left to Struggle on $10 Pensions

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

After more than 60 years of communism, Cuba’s population is suffering with a broken health care system, plummeting birth rates, and economic collapse.

Cubans continue to flee a worsening economy in record numbers while the elderly have been left behind, fighting to survive on the communist regime’s $10 monthly pension and a critical lack of basic supplies.

Food, power, medical equipment, and pharmaceutical shortages have ignited persistent protests this year and driven Cuba’s ongoing exodus of working-age adults.

The result has been nothing short of devastating for the country’s retirees.

“It’s a nightmare in every direction. This is an SOS. Cuba is about to collapse in a fatal way,” said Ramon Saul Sanchez, a long-time anti-Cuban regime activist and president of the Democracy Movement in Miami.

“People can’t really imagine, especially from outside, making elderly people live in such inhumane conditions,” Sanchez told The Epoch Times.

“Because of the deterioration of the economy and the lack of interest of the Cuban regime, they aren’t helping those who need it,” he said. “Retirement pension maybe allows you to buy a dozen eggs a month. That’s it.”

With one of the oldest populations in Latin America, Cuba ranks high in its number of citizens older than 65 years, according to the Cuban Research Institute and Florida International University report.

The report noted the number of elderly dependents for every 100 working-age adults could soon reach 28 with the soaring volume of migrant outflows that began in 2022 expedited the problem.

U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended nearly 425,000 illegal immigrant Cubans during fiscal years 2022 and 2023, according to Customs and Border Protection data.

An additional nearly 200,000 have been arrested in fiscal year 2024 through July.

These numbers have eclipsed previous large-scale migrations from Cuba to the United States, including the 1965–1973 Freedom Flights (approximately 300,000 Cubans) and the 1980 Mariel Boatlift (about 125,000 Cubans).

Plummeting birth rates have also fueled the acceleration of Cuba’s aging population for decades.

The trend became noticeable in the 1980s, but Cuba has been below replacement birth rates since 1978, according to an analysis published in the journal JSTOR.

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

President Trump’s UN Message: Strength in an Age of Folly 

President Donald Trump delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly this week that was equal parts indictment and invitation.

Zelensky Is Manipulating Trump Into A Disaster Of Epic Proportions

Trump’s flip-flop on Ukraine is leading to Trump's manipulation by Zelensky into a disaster of epic proportions if Trump doesn’t soon wise up.  

Pregnant TikTok Goblins Gobble Tylenol, Demand #AutismAcceptance

HHS Sec. RFK Jr. and President Trump announced findings that Tylenol use in pregnant women and babies may be associated with increased risk of autism.

Is Charlie Kirk’s Assassination Looking More Like a Conspiracy?

Enough videos have been posted to the internet, plenty...

Fox News Exploits MN Church Massacre to Push AI ‘Early Intervention’ Crime Suppression

Don’t let the technocrats’ performative empathy and calls for prayer in aftermath of a man-made disaster deceive; dead kids are golden opportunities for the national security state.

Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted on Federal Charges

Federal prosecutors on Thursday announced they had won an indictment of former FBI Director James Comey in federal courts.

Artemis II Crew Says Success Means Being ‘Forgotten’

Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman hopes his moon mission will be “forgotten” someday, as it paves the way for even more historic spaceflights.

Commerce Department Opens Tariff Investigations Into Medical Equipment, Robotics, Industrial Machinery

U.S. Commerce Dept reviewing national security risks of imported PPE, medical supplies, robotics, and industrial machinery to safeguard critical sectors.

US Attorneys Will Make Determination on Possible Comey Indictment: Trump

U.S. attorneys will make a determination on a possible indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, President Donald Trump said on Sept. 25.

Trump Signs Deal to Put TikTok Under US Ownership

President Trump approved the TikTok U.S. deal, signing an EO that will give China-based ByteDance 120 days to finalize terms with American investors.

Secret Service Investigating Alleged Sabotage of UN Escalator

Trump said Secret Service probing “sabotage” at U.N. headquarters, saying malfunctions with sound, escalator, and teleprompter interfered with his speech.

US Will Use Tariff Revenue to Help Farmers: Trump

President Donald Trump said on Sept. 25 that he would use tariff revenue to provide aid to American farmers until his import levies start to benefit them.

Trump to Host Turkish President Erdogan to Discuss Trade, Defense

President Trump will welcome Turkish President Erdogan to the White House on Sept. 25 to discuss a Boeing deal and bilateral issues.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central