Luis Lacosta, a well-known Cuban art director and set designer affiliated with the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry since 1962, took to Facebook on Thursday to share a heart-wrenching account of his life as a retiree. Despite over 65 years of continuous work, he receives a pension of just 3,800 pesos per month, which he describes as a mere "pittance."
"This is beyond abuse. In the 21st century, I don't know what it feels like to have electricity, potable water, and above all, food. After working nonstop for more than 65 years, I receive the pittance of 3,800 pesos as a pension," he penned on his profile, garnering dozens of supportive comments from fellow Cubans who relate to his plight.
Struggling with Basic Necessities
Lacosta's narrative highlights the harsh reality of poverty compounded by frequent power outages: "A couple of days ago, after saving up, I managed to buy chicken, and now I have to throw it away because I can't cook it." So far this year, the energy crisis in Cuba has led to at least eight total system blackouts, the most recent on September 18, leaving over nine million people without power.
His pension is even below the official minimum of 4,000 pesos set in September 2025 for a segment of retirees, which is valued at under 10 USD at the informal exchange rate. Economist Javier Pérez Capdevila estimates that an individual requires around 96,060 pesos monthly to meet basic needs, with more than two-thirds of that amount allocated solely to food.
A National Crisis Among the Elderly
Lacosta's situation is far from unique. A survey conducted by the Independent Trade Union Association of Cuba among 506 retirees across five provinces revealed that 99% claim their pension fails to cover food, housing, and medicine, and 90.7% continue to work post-retirement. Elderly Cubans interviewed by alternative media recently described their old age as "a disaster," with one summarizing the dire situation by stating, "We're all dying of hunger."
In his post, Lacosta also referenced an incident on September 22 at the UN General Assembly, where the Cuban delegation, led by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, walked out while President Donald Trump called Cuba a "completely failed state."
"I know, they'll tell me Trump is to blame, but I still wonder: Why didn't our delegation stay when that supposed cause of our miseries was speaking and ask for the floor to confront him? Why did they leave?" questioned the retiree.
Calls for Accountability
An online commenter offered their interpretation of the event: "Walking out was an admission that they had no arguments to refute him."
Lacosta further criticized as "mockery" the statements from leaders claiming to share the same hardships as the population: "I've read on Facebook that a leader is saying they experience the same struggles we do, which is a mockery to me. None of them live with our desperate anxieties."
This tragic scenario is echoed across the island. A blind elderly man living alone in Holguín receives a 3,000-peso disability pension but must spend 2,000 on transportation to reach the bank, leaving him with just 1,000 pesos a month. Another grandfather shared in a viral video that his 3,700-peso pension only allowed him to buy a liter of oil priced at 3,500 pesos and two sodas.
Lacosta summed up his feelings with bitterness: "They're killing us, how much longer will we live on promises and hopes for better futures?"
Understanding Cuba's Pension Crisis
What is the current state of pensions in Cuba?
Cuban pensions are alarmingly low, with many retirees receiving less than the official minimum of 4,000 pesos, which translates to under 10 USD at the informal exchange rate. This amount is insufficient to cover basic living expenses such as food, housing, and medicine.
How are power outages affecting retired Cubans?
Frequent power outages exacerbate the struggles of retired Cubans, as they often lose perishable food items due to the inability to cook, further straining their already limited resources.
Why did the Cuban delegation leave the UN General Assembly?
The Cuban delegation walked out of the UN General Assembly during President Trump's speech, which some perceive as an acknowledgment of their inability to counter his claims about Cuba being a "completely failed state."