A new venue in the heart of Santiago de Cuba has opened its doors this week, providing coffee, cookies, and other beverages to the elderly patiently waiting to collect their pensions. This initiative shines a light on the community's solidarity and simultaneously highlights the dire situation the Cuban regime has placed its retirees in.
The Ciberclub Corona, located at the intersection of Enramadas and Corona, announced it would welcome those visiting the Banco Popular de Ahorro (BPA) Branch 8282 during the pension payment days for September. These payments include the increase approved in July 2025, which took effect that September.
According to the announcement circulated by Joven Club Santiago de Cuba, the venue will offer organized assistance and complimentary refreshments to ease the long waits faced by the elderly.
This effort is supported by various private businesses in the city, including TCP Mimiquis, TCP Adri&Ale, TCP Candonga — situated opposite Quisquella —, Bodeguita del Medio, and Panadería Barracone, all of which contributed resources to sustain this initiative.
While the gesture is appreciated, it also starkly reveals an undeniable truth: more than 1.7 million retirees endure an ordeal every month to receive pensions that barely reach 4,000 pesos, equating to less than 10 dollars at the informal exchange rate, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
Endless queues, early morning waits outside banks, and a chronic shortage of cash are common occurrences across the nation. In Holguín, pensioners have had to rise as early as 5 a.m. to try and collect their money, and in August, many were left without their payments due to a lack of cash at postal offices.
In Guantánamo, due to the banking system's inefficiency, 113 private businesses paid pensions in cash to over 3,000 retirees this past Saturday, under the protection of the Central Bank of Cuba's Resolution 74/2026, which formalized the "Extra Cash" scheme starting July 20.
The demographic situation exacerbates the problem. Cuba stands as the most aged country in Latin America, with 25.7% of its population being 60 years or older by the end of 2024, a figure that rose to approximately 26.7% by 2026, as reported by the Ministry of Economy and Planning.
In response to this rapid aging, the state-run care system falls short, providing only 156 nursing homes with 12,697 beds nationwide, and 51 municipalities lack senior care services altogether.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Security admitted in March 2026 that "there are no resources to assist vulnerable individuals," a stark admission that contrasts with the revolutionary promises of social protection spanning decades.
The Ciberclub Corona initiative has been met with recognition on social media. Its organizers urged residents of Santiago to share this information "with retired family, neighbors, and friends so they know about this support point at Enramadas and Corona."
"In times of economic and material hardship, small gestures like offering a seat, a cup of coffee, water, or companionship can become significant help for those who, after decades of work, come to collect their pensions," noted the Joven Club Santiago de Cuba announcement, a statement that, perhaps unintentionally, encapsulates the neglect the regime shows towards its elderly citizens.
Challenges Faced by Cuban Pensioners
What is the purpose of the new venue in Santiago de Cuba?
The venue aims to offer coffee, cookies, and beverages to elderly individuals waiting to receive their pension checks, providing them with some comfort during the long waits.
How are private businesses involved in this initiative?
Private businesses in Santiago de Cuba, such as TCP Mimiquis and Bodeguita del Medio, contributed resources and support to help sustain the initiative at the Ciberclub Corona.
What challenges do Cuban retirees face when collecting pensions?
Retirees encounter long lines, early morning waits, and a persistent lack of cash, making it difficult to collect their modest pensions, which amount to less than $10 a month at the informal exchange rate.