Ortega worked as a receptionist in a local Communist Party of Cuba office until five years ago. Her monthly pension is 15,575 pesos, but inflation has made it worth less than $5 for the past three years.

She explains, “I try to disperse it across meals, meds, whatever I can.”

She is just one of many elderly Cubans who have become nearly penniless as the communist government, reeling from a severe economic crisis, turns to private industry.

Ortega resides with her dumb and deaf daughter. They’re alone themselves. No other relatives are available to assist.

This was not how the revolutionary generation in Cuba was supposed to live. They received promises of free food and healthcare from birth to death in exchange for their selfless dedication to society.

Che Guevara declared, “Man [will] begin to free his thinking from the irritating requirement of feeding his animal wants through work.”

Even so, many older people are shocked at how quickly the revolution they dedicated their lives to has abandoned them, when they are most vulnerable, as private stores spring up all over the Caribbean island and the bodegas that supply state-subsidised rations become more empty.

According to Ortega, “We lived with a dream, with a commitment. And then, everything vanished.”

A growing segment of Cuban society is the elderly. The population’s increased life expectancy into the high 70s, matching that of the United States and the United Kingdom, was a victory of the 1959 revolution. Currently, 22.6% of people over 60 live alone, with 221,000 of them being women.

The current flight of young people has intensified these trends. Cubans have either joined the Latin American caravans heading for the US border or have discovered methods to migrate to Europe as the country’s economy declines. Although opinions differ, estimates generally concur that the island’s population has significantly decreased from the 11 million people listed in a 2012 census. It was as low as 8.62 million, according to an independent demographer’s assessment recently.

Former ambassador Carlos Alzugaray, 81, adds, “One of the hardest things for my colleagues is that their children are outside Cuba. And after making so many sacrifices, they are now financially dependent on them.”

Alzugaray, a member of the Communist Party, expresses such outrage at the circumstances that he declares, “I would go to a rally in front of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security if some elderly people gathered together tomorrow.”

That is an astonishing claim in a nation where protests are uncommon and virtually never accepted.

“I’ve worked in two different professions,” Alzugaray declares, as he continues, “Both provided assistance to the Cuban Revolution’s government.”

One was a 35-year career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The other was fifteen years as a professor at a university. Additionally, I receive 2,330 pesos ($6.50) per month.

The government’s lack of reaction surprises Alzugaray. He claims that there is no indication that they are concerned about the issue. or that they intend to take action in response. They disregard the problem, as they always do when faced with one.

The six-decade American embargo on Cuba, the communist state’s ailing central planning, and the island nation’s inability to recover from the COVID pandemic are all responsible for the collapse of its economy. Since it appeared for a moment that the government couldn’t afford to import food, shops and other small and medium-sized private enterprises (Mipymes) were authorised in 2021.

Though not everyone has benefited from these establishments, some Cubans who get money from family overseas have found them to be quite helpful. Even an ambassadorial monthly pension is insufficient to pay for a tray of eggs, which costs 2,500 pesos. As a result, it is becoming common to see elderly people staring at necessities like cooking oil that they cannot buy.

The government has now decided to regulate the price of necessities like cooking oil and chopped chicken, blaming the Mipymes for their “speculation.” But even these commodities, should the private stores keep selling them, are too expensive for retirees (cooking oil has a restriction of 950 pesos).

The head of the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Older Adults, Social Care, and Mental Health is Dr. Alberto Fernández Seco. He contends that Cuba is still in a better position than other nations to handle “a worldwide problem” of ageing because of its “high level of education, balanced nutrition, sports, and access to culture.”

He outlines Cuba’s remarkable efforts to care for the elderly, citing the establishment of 304 Casas de Abuelos, or drop-in centres, where senior citizens can congregate, get meals, and get medical assistance. Also, 158 care facilities provide beds for the poorest of the poor. Claiming the reverse to be true, he brushes away claims that care facility beds are disappearing and that fewer people are visiting the Casas de Abuelos as rates rise.

To share this duty with the private sector, he argues, “We’re starting to design policies.”

These are private businesses that would have been unimaginable a few years ago. For instance, TaTamania provides “personalised care” to senior citizens through the use of “health sector professionals” from six locations located throughout Cuba. Monthly costs begin at approximately $150 and quickly increase according to the individual’s demands.

Most of the money comes from overseas families. The government intends to let these businesses branch out into care homes in addition to home care, with 10% of the costs going toward meeting the needs of individuals without families.

According to Fernández Seco, “Sharing responsibilities with the private sector does not contradict the successes of the revolution.”

Elaine Acosta, a sociologist from Florida International University who founded Cuido 60 to investigate the living conditions of Cuba’s elderly, noted that the expatriate families are aware that 10% of their fees are being redistributed, but the money raised is insufficient to address the problem.

She said, “A bigger issue is that organisations in civil society that could be of assistance are unable to secure funding from foreign foundations or others.”

According to Fernández Seco, the government is also giving older people more rights, such as the option to postpone retirement.

“You can continue working and collecting your income and pension as long as you maintain the appropriate level of mental and physical fitness,” he explains.

He continues, saying that although it might not be what was promised, Cubans should keep in mind how fortunate they are in comparison to citizens of other nations where drug use, human trafficking, and organ theft are issues.

“There are moments when we are unable to recognise our blessings,” he added.

Elvio Agramonte de los Reyes, a bit stooped but carrying himself like the Camagüey man he is, raised in the most courtly of the Cuban provinces, pushes a wheelchair up San Lázaro Street. He is selling a basket of coriander and mangoes to bystanders from the chair.

The 85-year-old said, “I get 1,100 pesos from the government. That’s what I live with, along with what I search for on the streets. I am in a better position. I don’t drink coffee, smoke, or use rum. I did consume a lot of rum, but I developed cerebral ischemia, so they advised me not to touch it anymore.”

Like Martha Ortega, all he has to go on in life is a crippled daughter. She was born with a mental illness. She receives a 2,000 peso pension while not working.

He heard Che Guevara’s call when he was a young man.

“Cher invented volunteer labour. I took part in every activity. I cut, cleaned, and planted cane. Although there are benefits to building schools and hospitals with free medical care, it’s now backfiring like a cow’s tail. For those of us who are elderly and without relatives…” He pauses, and a woman who has come to purchase coriander says, “They are dying of hunger, to fill the void.”

The post Living on pennies: The plight of elderly Cubans appeared first on International Finance.

The agreement is reported to be based on the principles of humanity, solidarity, dedication, equality, and mutual benefit. The medical agreement will also renew the commitment between the two governments.

The agreement also aims to continue the comprehensive continuation of medical cooperation between the African nation and Cuba. The documents were signed by Honorable Senator MuthaiKagwe, Cabinet secretary for health, and Dr. José Angel Portal Miranda, the Cuban Minister of Public Health.

The deal was signed during a meeting that took place during the Cabinet Secretary’s three-week mission to Cuba where he aimed to strengthen Kenya’s primary healthcare system. The visit also saw him picking lessons from Cuba, following its world-class primary health care delivery model, and its highly effective model to fight malaria.

Speaking in Havana, Cuba, both the parties agreed that the countries have a pleasant professional relationship since 2001, especially in the healthcare sector. The cabinet secretary praised the Government of Cuba for its efforts in supporting Kenya’s health sector with such exchange programmes.

He added that the contribution of the Kenyan doctors has been of insurmountable help to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Cabinet Secretary Kagwe also stressed that the government of Kenya takes the security of Cuban doctors seriously and they are committed to the safe return of doctors Assel Herrera and Landy Rodriguez who were abducted by suspected al Shabaab militants two years ago.

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In the latest episode of CNN’s Boss Files with Poppy Harlow, Williams shares her experience on what transformed her modest career. This happened when her mentor at her first energy job told her: “Geisha, somebody has to run this company some day. Why not you?”

“I thought, why not me? Is this guy kidding? Women weren’t running companies. Latina women weren’t running companies. Immigrants weren’t running companies. So I thought that was just ridiculous,” she said at the show.

Williams was five years old when her family immigrated to the US in 1967. Her father worked in factories and washed dishes in restaurants at night. “My parents really are the embodiment of the American Dream. My dad worked several jobs at a time, my mom did piecework at home. Just to sort of make a living for me,” she added.

At the start of her career, Williams admits it was the ‘power of mentorship’ that encouraged her to excel in her profession. In 2007, Williams joined PG&E to lead the operations prior to her senior role as the President and CEO a decade later.

“It’s the power of influence and having someone that you look up to tell you that they think you can do something that you don’t think you can do yourself,” Williams said. “I didn’t know I was going to become CEO. At that point, I doubted it, but I thought, I’m going places. I’m going to work hard and I am going to be a leader.”

In her opinion immigrants have the right to receive the same opportunities granted to others, who have contributed to America’s growth story.

“Immigrants bring energy and they bring innovation and they bring creativity. They bring that hunger for advancement and for betterment and I think it’s been an absolute secret weapon the United States has,” Williams concluded.

The post Former refugee Geisha Williams joins the C-suite of a Fortune 500 company appeared first on International Finance.

Kamilia Lahrichi

April 2, 2015: Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov courted Cuba, Nicaragua, Colombia and Guatemala during a four-day visit to South America in March 2015 to boost bilateral trade, as food shortage is hitting his country hard.

Last year, Moscow banned for one year agricultural products from the European Union, the United States, Canada, Norway and Australia, in an economic war. The US is isolating Russia for its policies in Ukraine, where a bloody conflict still rages, and for the annexation of Crimea in March 2014.

Embargoed products include beef, pork, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables.

This radical policy has led to significant losses for Russia, which heavily depends on food imports to feed its 143.5 million stomachs.

In 2013, Russia imported nearly $23 billion worth of the banned products from the United States and the European Union mainly, according to Trade Map data. Europe is Moscow’s largest trading partner.

Products like French cheese, German sausage, Norwegian salmon or basmati rice have today vanished from Russian supermarkets.

Russia’s economy is going through the worst turbulence in President Vladimir Putin’s leadership due to Western sanctions as well as plummeting oil prices. Inflation runs at 10% and living standards have fallen significantly.

The Russian central bank imposed a steep interest rate hike to halt the ruble’s collapse – it lost more than 45% of its value against the dollar since the beginning of 2014.

Food scarcity in Russia, opportunities in Latin America

Lavrov met presidents Raúl Castro in Cuba, Juan Manual Santos in Colombia, Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua and Otto Pérez Molina in Guatemala, to get agricultural goods denied to the Russian market – behind the diplomatic rhetoric.

It is his second visit to the region since the war in Ukraine broke out.

During this 24-hour visit to Guatemala, the Russian envoy reaffirmed Moscow’s continued support for the Central American nation. He also lambasted the US sanctions against Venezuela and called for ending the American trade embargo on Cuba.

He also said that Russia wants to set up a regional centre to train Central American security officials to fight drug trafficking and terrorism.

In Nicaragua, Lavrov suggested that Russia might be keen to help build a waterway to rival the Panama Canal.

In Colombia, the Russian foreign minister and his counterpart agreed to increase bilateral trade, without saying by how much.

“We want to expand that market [Russian] and to work together [taking advantage of] the different opportunities. We all have a job to do, but also a commitment to improving trade relations,” said the Colombian Foreign Affairs Minister Mary Angela Holguin.

Lavrov expressed Moscow’s willingness to be a pillar in the development of a multipolar world order. He sought to build ties with regional unions like the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR).

“The selection of countries is based on the USSR’s old links with the region,” said Sergio Berenzstein, a political analyst in Buenos Aires.

Communist Cuba and sovietico-sandinista Nicaragua are the United States’ historical foes and Russian allies. In 2002, Russia and Nicaragua inked a deal to axe the Central American country’s debt with the USSR.

Russia is reaping the benefits of the anti-imperialist and anti-American tendencies of these populist governments – aside from Colombia.

Yet, Nicaragua, Colombia and Guatemala are above all a pragmatic choice as Russian senior officials rarely visit these countries.

“There is a need to negotiate visa-free travel – it it hasn’t been introduced already – and expand bilateral trade,” explained Igor Danchenko, Program Research Manager on Russia and Eurasia at Sidar Global Advisors, a markets research company in Washington D.C.

Food supplies wanted

“Russia’s goal is to turn to new food suppliers as well as promote Russia’s technology and energy in developing countries with shortcomings in these areas,” said Matias Garcia Tuñón, Coordinator at the Russian Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Buenos Aires.

Boosting trade with Latin American countries would help Moscow get the foreign reserves it needs while the breadbasket region would reap the benefits of a larger consumer market.

For instance, Nicaragua exports meat, seafood, milk, cheese, peanuts and coffee to the Russian market. Moscow is interested in importing vegetables and tropical fruits it cannot grow due to its harsh climate.

Since 2013, both countries began negotiating a free trade agreement as exports to Russia are relatively low. In 2013, Nicaragua exported over $18 million to Russia – it is still a one-third increase compared to the previous year.

Cuba – Russia’s largest sugar cane supplier – exports citrus, concentrated juices, rum, tobacco and drugs in exchange for oil, auto parts and machinery and fertilizers. Russia is Cuba’s 10^th largest trading partner.

The trade balance between the two economies grew by 17% during the first six months of 2012, compared to the same period in 2011, when it reached $224.7 million.

Guatemala remains an under-developed market for Russia although its goods enjoy customs preferences in the federation since 2007. In 2013, the Central American country exported about $29 million worth of products to the Russian market and imported about $72 million.

Guatemala exports sugar, coffee, tobacco and cardamom to Russia and imports fertilizers, steel and zinc.

Finally, Colombia exports coffee and flowers (almost 60% of all exports) to Russia while Moscow supplies fertilizers and technology. Both countries are also in talks for a free trade agreement since 2013.

Moscow’s strategy in Latin America

Clearly, Moscow will not rely on these four markets only as they are too small to feed Russian customers.

Besides, distance is a challenge. “The logistical challenge to send to Russia perishable goods is mainly the time for maritime transport to San Petersburg (Russia’s main port apart from Vladivostok and Novorossijk),” explained Mr. Tuñón.

“If we estimate an average of 30 days for sea transit, in addition to the time to produce the food and sell it in Russia, it is very complicated to commercialise short-life products,” he added.

Air transport would be an interesting – albeit costly – option.

Although Moscow expects to capitalise on long-term relationships with Latin American countries, “Russia’s position in Cuba is destined to weaken because of sheer proximity to the United States and a large Cuban diaspora [there],” said Mr. Danchenko.

In addition, “since Latin America can’t be an alternative source of loans to replace the West and China/Asia, interests are limited,” he added.

Also Read:

Argentina: Russia’s new market

Crimean crisis: World divided on sanctions against Russia

Ukraine conflict: UK wants SWIFT punishment for Russian banks

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