An elderly woman known as Luci is suffering in dire neglect in the Los Ángeles neighborhood of San Miguel del Padrón, Havana. Despite the Cuban government's awareness of her plight, no effective action has been taken to assist her, according to a video shared by her neighbor, Alfonso Vera, on Facebook.
The video, lasting just over two minutes, reveals Luci in severe pain, with her feet in poor condition, surrounded by squalor and a bedbug infestation in her home at 17,115 C Street, interior, in the area known as Virgen del Camino.
"This is not staged. Everyone knows about it. And they're doing nothing for her," Vera states in the video while highlighting the deplorable state of his neighbor.
The situation is dire. "Quietly. She's going to die. She's going to die here," warns the neighbor in the footage.
Luci herself speaks in the video, summarizing the system's indifference with a poignant statement: "I'm calm, the issue is the pain, it hits me hard. They don't take me, the police don't come to get me."
When Vera asks if anyone can assist her, she simply replies: "Nobody of mine, nobody."
Authorities Aware, Yet Inactive
According to the video description, health officials from the "Wilfredo Pérez" clinic, which Luci belongs to, have long been aware of her situation. Luci confirms receiving visits: "I saw the doctor who was here the other day writing, I don't know. The Social Welfare officer came too, another one came." However, none of these visits resulted in any resolution.
Vera expresses his frustration at the lack of action: "Some say one thing, others say another, the delegate did her part, social workers too, those from the nursing home as well, but the fact is Luci is dying due to bedbugs and neglect from related public agencies."
In desperation, Vera shared his phone number — 55351897 — in the video's description, hoping someone might offer help.
A Growing Crisis Among the Elderly in Cuba
Luci's case is not isolated. Cuba, the most aged nation in Latin America, had 25.7% of its population over 60 by the end of 2024, and the elder care system is collapsing.
Massive youth migration — over 1.4 million Cubans between 2019 and 2025 — has left 17.4% of older adults without nearby family to care for them.
Minimum pensions barely exceed 4,000 Cuban pesos monthly, less than ten dollars in the informal exchange, and 99% of retirees report that this amount is insufficient for food, housing, or medicine.
Similar incidents have been reported in previous years: an elderly man living at a bus stop in Mayabeque and another with a hip fracture neglected in a nursing home in Perico reflect a pattern acknowledged but unresolved by the regime itself.
In March 2026, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security conceded that "there are no resources to care for vulnerable individuals," a statement that has deadly implications for thousands of elderly Cubans like Luci.
Understanding the Elderly Crisis in Cuba
What are the living conditions highlighted in Luci's case?
Luci is experiencing severe neglect, living in unsanitary conditions with a bedbug infestation, and suffering from intense pain without receiving necessary assistance from authorities.
How has the Cuban government responded to Luci's situation?
Although the Cuban government is aware of Luci's plight, no effective measures have been taken to address her needs. Visits from various officials have not led to any substantive assistance.
What larger issue does Luci's situation represent in Cuba?
Luci's case underscores a broader crisis in elder care in Cuba, where an aging population faces inadequate support due to systemic failures and resource shortages.