Pregnant Mother of Three Endures "Extreme Conditions" in Songo

Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada has revealed the dire situation of a pregnant mother living with her three children in Songo, Santiago de Cuba, who remains without aid following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

In his social media post, Mayeta shared, "In the year 2025, on Pecuario Street in Songo, Caridad Calión Le, a pregnant mother of three young children, faces an unacceptable reality."

Mayeta elaborated on her circumstances, explaining, "Caridad is enduring extreme conditions: a dirt floor turned muddy, lacking resources, without a dry mattress, and no official support, all while she navigates a high-risk pregnancy and cares for her children."

According to the journalist, "After Hurricane Melissa, her already difficult situation worsened. Despite her struggles, the authorities have remained indifferent. The local representative offered no help, merely suggesting she put the mattress out in the sun. It's disgraceful."

Mayeta further noted, "Caridad spends her days at the maternal home in Songo with her two youngest children, only to return each evening to a house unfit for anyone, especially a pregnant woman and three minors."

In another part of his post, Mayeta expressed his dismay, stating, "While those at the top live like royalty, the people endure abandonment and mud," questioning, "Who listens to her? Who will answer for her and her children? Once again, the people are left to fend for themselves while the State remains silent."

The images shared by Mayeta reveal the harsh reality of Caridad's living conditions: open wooden walls, dirt floors, moisture, a destroyed mattress, and an outdoor makeshift bathroom. One photo shows Caridad standing with two of her children inside the house, which Mayeta described as "unsafe for any human being."

The report has sparked numerous reactions, reflecting public outrage and debate over the vulnerability of many Cuban mothers. While some commenters criticized the lack of state assistance and access to contraceptives, others blamed the mother for her situation and inadequate family planning.

There were also calls for empathy and offers of direct help, with individuals looking to connect with the family to provide donations or material support.

Meanwhile, during a visit to hurricane-stricken communities in Río Cauto, Granma, President Miguel Díaz-Canel vowed that "no one will be left destitute" and that the country would help them rebuild. However, the reality depicted in cases like Caridad Calión Le's in Songo paints a different picture. The scenes captured by Mayeta show that many families remain without aid or basic resources despite official promises of support and reconstruction.

Caridad's plight is not isolated. In Guantánamo, another Cuban mother named Mariannis lost her home and belongings due to the same hurricane. Speaking to Telemundo 51, she recounted, "The cyclone took everything from me, my house, leaving me with nothing."

Mariannis, a mother of five, relies on minimal support from the father of her children and has sought help through social media. Her story is one among many in the eastern provinces left without shelter or essential resources after Hurricane Melissa.

In the meantime, Cuban Americans in South Florida have organized humanitarian aid shipments for the affected, bypassing the Cuban regime.

Hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba with force, impacting thousands of families in Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Granma. Numerous reports on social media and independent outlets highlight the authorities' lack of response and the severe conditions in which many mothers with young children live.