Cuba 2023: Rising Hunger Forces Many to Scavenge for Food

Cuba is currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by over six decades of communist rule and mismanagement by the Castro regime. This has led to a significant decline in living conditions, with nearly 90% of the population now living in extreme poverty. The collapse of infrastructure has resulted in frequent power outages and shortages of essential supplies, including food, water, and medicine. Garbage disposal services are nearly non-functional, leading to overflowing trash in urban areas, particularly in Havana. As a result of these dire conditions, many Cubans have resorted to scavenging through garbage to find food and other items for survival. Individuals known as 'buzos' or 'divers' have emerged, who sift through refuse to locate edible items or materials they can sell. In a typical month, these divers may earn as little as $17, highlighting the extreme economic challenges they face. The situation has forced many, including the elderly, to rely on scavenging as a primary means of sustenance. Reports indicate that people are finding not only food but also clothing and other useful items in the trash. The rising costs of basic necessities, such as a loaf of bread with ham costing 100 pesos, have made it nearly impossible for individuals to survive on their meager incomes. This crisis is not limited to Havana; it reflects a broader trend across the country, where the accumulation of garbage and the desperation of the populace are becoming increasingly visible. The humanitarian situation in Cuba mirrors similar crises in other countries, such as Venezuela, where economic collapse has led to widespread food insecurity and reliance on scavenging.