A few days after being interrogated by the Cuban State Security during their visit to Cuba, the Spanish youtubers from the podcast Black Mango published a special episode about their experience on the island. Chapter 63, titled "The Terrible Cuba", has gone viral for its raw description of Cuban reality and the sincerity of its authors, who explored non-tourist areas and spoke directly with the local population.
"We arrived in Cuba, and the first thing we noticed was the lack of internet and the lack of electricity. It's normal to have four hours every day without power," they said. "The internet is like our internet was back in 2006. Even if you want to find out about something from abroad, you're limited because then there's the issue of VPNs. If you don't have one, you can't see anything at all either."
During their stay, they visited modest homes where, they assure, they found extremely precarious living conditions. "We entered homes without doors. It’s incredibly hot, and many people live in a very cramped space," they recounted. "In a 90 cm bed, one person sleeps in one direction and the other person in the opposite direction."
Regarding the food, they said that what they saw left them shocked: “They open the refrigerator and have fat accumulated to add flavor to the food. And there were two clean chicken bones, in case they make a broth or a soup, they throw them in to see if it adds any flavor.”
They also described how powdered milk, which is a common product in many countries, is considered a luxury in Cuba: “They don't know what real milk is; they only know powdered milk, which is a delicacy for them. And on top of that, the price is inflated. It is much more expensive than here in Spain.”
One of the most revealing testimonies came from a Havana resident who confessed, "I don't know Santiago de Cuba. I know it's there, but I've never been, and I know that I will never be able to go in my lifetime. I can't see my own country. It's a prison that does have a blue sky and nice cars, but it's a prison."
They also noted the economic desperation they witnessed on the island: “You will do anything to get 400 pesos or anything.”
Against manipulation: without filters or euphemisms
In the episode, the creators express their rejection of those who travel to Cuba to present only a friendly or touristy image while hiding the true situation of the country. Without mentioning names, they pointed out that many visitors post content that “does not represent the reality they experienced.” They warned that such publications confuse the international audience and contribute to perpetuating a false image of the island.
Reactions: “Thank you for saying what we cannot.”
After the episode was released, social media was filled with messages from Cubans both inside and outside the country. Many expressed gratitude for sharing what they cannot say aloud.
"I see them from Havana, at 144p and without light. Thank you for giving a voice to those who cannot speak," commented a user on YouTube. Another wrote: "I had to pack 20 years into a suitcase and tell my grandmother, 'Mima, everything is going to be okay,' while crying inside."
There were also calls for the documentary being prepared by the youtubers to include the testimonies they managed to record. “If those people requested to appear uncensored, let it be. It’s the only thing they have left,” said another comment.
Throughout the episode, the creators emphasize that their critique is not directed at the Cuban people, but rather at the power structure that keeps them in misery. “The people were kind, they open their doors to you, they offer you what they don’t have. But what we witnessed cannot be silenced,” they assert.
The complete episode "The Terrible Cuba" can be viewed on YouTube. Beyond the controversy it has generated, its content has become a direct, documented, and hard-to-ignore testimony about daily life in today's Cuba.
Frequently asked questions about the situation in Cuba according to the Spanish YouTubers of Black Mango
What is the current situation of the internet and electricity in Cuba?
In Cuba, the internet connection is extremely slow and resembles that of 2006 in other countries, while power outages are frequent, with daily interruptions lasting up to four hours. This situation makes communication and access to information challenging for both residents and visitors.
How do Spanish YouTubers describe living conditions in Cuba?
The Spanish YouTubers from Black Mango describe living conditions in Cuba as extremely precarious. They visited humble homes where many people live in cramped spaces and with limited food resources, such as accumulated fat and chicken bones to flavor the food. Additionally, powdered milk is a luxury for many Cubans due to its high cost.
What experiences did the YouTubers have with the Cuban State Security?
YouTubers were questioned by the Cuban State Security after publishing content that showcased the reality of the island. They were approached by agents who inspected their phones, prohibiting them from continuing to record. This experience reflects the repression and surveillance faced by both Cubans and foreign visitors documenting the situation in Cuba.
How does the Cuban community react to the accusations made by the YouTubers?
After the release of the Black Mango episode, many Cubans expressed their gratitude on social media for having shared what they cannot say out loud. They appreciated that the YouTubers presented the true situation of the country without filters or euphemisms, and some even requested that the testimonies recorded during their stay be included uncensored in future documentaries.
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