On Sunday, the day dedicated to children in Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel took to social media to share a celebratory message, asserting that the regime will always protect Cuban youth. His post included images of Fidel Castro with young pioneers.
"Congratulations to the little giants, the future guardians of our nation on this special day. We will always look after our children, even in the most challenging times," wrote the leader, who also referred to Fidel Castro as the "giant pioneer" who initiated the celebration, recalling how the dictator often engaged with Cuban pioneers.
Yet, the stark contrast between this festive claim and the harsh reality faced by Cuban children is painfully evident.
Child Mortality and Nutrition Crisis
The infant mortality rate soared to 9.9 per 1,000 live births in 2025, the highest in over two decades, marking a 148% increase since 2018 when it was 4.0. In Havana, the rate reached 14 per 1,000 during the initial months of 2026.
Furthermore, over 100,000 children are deprived of their daily milk, and the Ministry of the Food Industry itself admitted that fulfilling the child supply plan is "impossible."
According to the World Food Program, 48.5% of Cuban schoolchildren aged six to 11 do not receive meals or snacks at their educational institutions.
Severe Food Insecurity Among Youngsters
UNICEF has reported that 9% of children under five experience severe child food poverty, consuming food from just two or fewer of the eight essential food groups.
In this context, the Food Monitor Program has warned that Cuba's food crisis is forcing children and teenagers to take on adult-like survival tasks, which are socially disguised as mere "family help."
They stated that this phenomenon is not isolated but a direct consequence of the collapse of basic conditions in Cuban homes and schools.
Heartbreaking Testimonies of Cuban Mothers
Just two days prior to Díaz-Canel's statement, Cuban mother María Acuña Cruz shared photos on Facebook of her one-year-old baby sleeping outside on a cot, exposed to mosquitoes and without water, while suffering from a diarrheal virus due to power outages.
"Do you ever think about the Cuban people in your hands, the children, the elderly, the parents who must improvise to put food on the table?" she questioned the leader in her heartbreaking testimony.
Earlier in the month, a viral video depicted children sleeping on the floor of a portal in Havana during power outages lasting up to 30 consecutive hours.
"Look at the children sleeping on the ground. There's still no light," lamented Teresa Calderín Elias in the video.
Another mother, Dayany Sol Lopez, recently addressed an open letter to the leader, alongside a photo of her seven-month-old baby sleeping on a cot in the yard after 48 hours without electricity: "President, my son doesn't know how to endure and doesn't understand the mess of a country he lives in," reflecting the desperate plea of a Cuban mother.
Churches Step In Amid State Collapse
With the state's failure, churches have stepped in to feed the most vulnerable children. Cáritas of El Cobre recently opened the "Horizontes" children's dining room in Santiago de Cuba, providing meals to 20 children three times a week, as reported by this children's dining room in Santiago.
"So many people are asking for help. And the help isn't enough," acknowledged the Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, Dionisio García Ibáñez.
Understanding Cuba's Child Welfare Crisis
What is the current infant mortality rate in Cuba?
The infant mortality rate in Cuba reached 9.9 per 1,000 live births in 2025, the highest in over two decades.
How is the food crisis affecting Cuban children?
The food crisis has resulted in over 100,000 children missing their daily milk, and 48.5% of schoolchildren not receiving meals or snacks at school. Additionally, 9% of children under five suffer from severe food poverty.
What role are churches playing in Cuba's child welfare?
With the state's incapacity to provide, churches have begun to feed vulnerable children. Cáritas opened a dining room in Santiago de Cuba to serve meals to children several times a week.