In Old Havana, elderly residents are increasingly turning to the Catholic Church and Spanish social organizations to secure basic meals.. As the Cuban state reduces food subsidies and medical supplies dwindle, many retirees are left with pensions that barely cover a few dollars a month.

The $4 monthly lifeline for Havana's retirees

Carmen Casado Álvarez, an 84-year-old former chemical engineer, is one of many seniors in Old Havana struggling to survive on a meager monthly pension of 2,000 Cuban pesos. As reported by The Associated Press, this amount translates to roughly four dollars at the parallel market exchange rate. To supplement this insufficient income, Casado Álvarez and others gather three times a week at the Espíritu Santo church to receive a meal of picadillo, rice, beans, and strong coffee.

The economic crisis that has plagued Cuba for five years was further intensified by the oil embargo imposed in January by former U.S. President Donald Trump. This pressure has left former professionals like Casado Álvarez—who once worked for the Ministry of Light Industry—living in aging colonial buildings with crumbling floors and roofs. For many,the state-subsidized food baskets provided by bodegas are no longer enough to stave off hunger.

A nation of 2.5 million seniors facing a demographic void

Cuba is currently navigating a profound demographic crisis characterized by a rapidly aging population and mass emigration. National statistics indicate that by the end of 2024,25.7% of the Cuban population—approximately 2.5 million people—were over the age of 60. This aging trend is being exacerbated by a massive exodus of younger citizens, which saw the national population drop from 11.1 million to 9.7 million between 2020 and 2024.

The departure of the working-age population leaves the elderly increasingly isolated and without traditional familly support. while some seniors receive remittances or food parcels from relatives living abroad, the most vulnerable, like Casado Álvarez, lack such resources. This creates a landscape where elderly citizens are often seen navigating the streets alone or waiting in long lines for basic staples like bread and rice.

Medical shortages impacting 28,000 cancer patients

The economic instability in Cuba has directly compromised the nation's healthcare infrastructure, leaving millions of citizens at risk. The report highlights that five million people suffering from chronic conditions have seen their essential treatments disrupted.. Most critically, approximately 28,000 cancer patients are currently facing limitations in their access to life-saving radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The unproven promise of private elderly care

In a significant departure from its traditionally centralized model, the Cuban Council of Ministers recently approved the opening of private elderly care services and residences. This move allows entrepreneurs to provide specialized care for older adults, a sector previously managed almost exclusively by the state.

Several questions remain regarding the implementation of this new policy . It is currently unclear if these private services will be affordable for those living on state pensions, or if they will only serve the small segment of the population receiving foreign remittances . Furthermore, the report does not specify how the government intends to regulate the quality of care in these new private facilities.