On Thursday, Cuban actress Darianis Palenzuela Pérez shared a poignant video on Instagram, recounting her distressing encounter with a young boy sleeping in a building entrance in Centro Habana. The child showed clear signs of abuse and was clearly in need of nourishment.
"Today, I witnessed one of the most disturbing scenes since living here in Centro Habana, and I doubt I'll be able to shake it from my mind anytime soon," the actress expressed in her video post.
Palenzuela extended her gratitude to those who approached the child, provided food, and attempted to alert the authorities to intervene in the situation.
"I spoke with him and saw violence in his eyes, but there was also immense fear and a lack of love," the actress revealed, urging against quick judgment of the child.
She warned, "It's easy to call him a delinquent, and he might become one if no one takes action; but he is, after all, just a child." She emphasized that a child reflects the life they've experienced, the upbringing they've received, and the teachings of their family.
Drawing parallels to the Cuban film "Conducta" (2014), Palenzuela pondered the plight of many children in similar situations, likening them to the film's protagonist, Chala, an 11-year-old living amidst poverty and violence, and his teacher, Carmela, who fights to save him. "I think a lot about 'Conducta,' about the many Chalas out there today, and about the need for more Carmelas," she stated.
In a heartfelt plea to her fellow Cubans, the actress called for change: "We need more people who believe that saving a child today means preventing a future criminal, someone who won't end up taking a life, in prison, or worse, with a grave waiting for flowers."
She concluded her video with a quote from José Martí: "Children are the hope of the world," underlining the urgent need for more caring individuals like Carmela to address the overwhelming number of Chalas in Cuba today.
In October 2025, images surfaced of six children sleeping on cardboard in the gardens of the Gran Muthu Habana hotel in Miramar. Witnesses reported that the children, aged between eight and fourteen, had been sleeping there for over a month after being evicted by police from the nearby Business Center area, where they had sought refuge.
Earlier in June, Diario de Cuba published a report highlighting the spread of youth gangs across Cuba, fueled by economic hardship, poverty, and synthetic drug trafficking. This issue, once considered marginal, has escalated into a significant structural threat, affecting nearly all neighborhoods in Havana.
Addressing Child Vulnerability and Violence in Cuba
What actions did Darianis Palenzuela take upon finding the child?
Darianis Palenzuela expressed her concern on social media, thanked those who aided the child, and sought to involve authorities to address the situation.
What is the significance of the film "Conducta" in this context?
The film "Conducta" reflects similar themes of childhood adversity and the transformative power of dedicated individuals, paralleling the real-life challenges faced by children in Cuba today.
How has the issue of youth gangs evolved in Cuba?
Youth gangs in Cuba have grown from a minor issue to a significant structural threat due to economic difficulties, poverty, and drug trafficking, affecting almost every neighborhood in Havana.