The youtuber from Spain, José María Pastor, known as @topeadosdeviaje, has once again shaken up social media with a new video filmed in Cuba, where he accompanies a homeless man whose story reflects the extreme poverty experienced on the island.
"This gentleman I invited to have a snack had been living on the street for years because his house collapsed due to its condition, killing his mother and brother," Pastor explains at the beginning of the video posted on his TikTok account. In the footage, the creator accompanies the man—who receives a pension of only 5 dollars a month—as they search for food at various locations in Havana.
During the tour, it is documented how several establishments were lacking basic products: "Either there was no bread, or there was no meat," he recounts. In one of the most striking segments, you can hear when he asks the shopkeeper if there is bread of any kind and he responds negatively. "That's when I understood that in Cuba, even if you have money, it doesn't mean you'll be able to eat," reflects the youtuber. Shortly after, he shows the man searching for food in a trash container.
The video, which has garnered dozens of comments on social media, has sparked reactions of indignation, pain, and condemnation. "You are the most sincere in describing the reality that the corrupt communist mafia in Cuba has imposed on the people," wrote a user on TikTok. Others simply expressed their sadness with emojis and phrases like “The sad reality of Cuba” or “Exactly like this.”
This post is part of a series of videos that Pastor has shared since his arrival in Cuba, where he claims that what has impacted him the most is "hunger". In his words: "I have traveled through neighborhoods in Havana, walked through empty markets, met teachers who earn 10 dollars a month, and elderly people who have nothing to eat. Here, they didn’t ask me for money. They asked me for rice, milk, medicine, bread… or the last sip of a soda."
The case of the homeless man is just one more within the harsh social portrait that the youtuber has spread through his platforms. In previous clips, he also showed a teacher who, in tears, told him that she earned 3,000 pesos and had no food to survive. “I saw people begging for the last sip of a soft drink, people crying out of helplessness,” he has commented.
Pastor, journalist, and content creator, he started his channel "Topeados" after the pandemic. Although his initial goal was to showcase Cuban culture, he ended up testifying to what he describes as "one of the hardest realities I have documented in my life."
His posts have resonated on social media, where many users have expressed gratitude for bringing attention to the difficult situation of the Cuban people. Other foreign creators like Adventure Elliot and the channel Black Mango Podcast have reported similar situations, showing lines to receive non-existent products, crumbling homes, and heartbreaking testimonies from people pleading for help "as a last resort."
"This is not propaganda. This is humanity," wrote Pastor. His series of videos continues to be published, showcasing, without filters, the less touristy side of Cuba: a country where dignity survives amidst scarcity, blackouts, and despair.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Economic and Social Situation in Cuba
What has the YouTuber José María Pastor documented about the situation in Cuba?
José María Pastor has documented the extreme precariousness in Cuba through his videos on social media, highlighting the food shortages, the endless lines, the frequent blackouts, and the despair of Cubans. His images depict a country where dignity and hope survive amidst the lack of basic resources and the decline in quality of life.
Why is it even difficult to get food in Cuba, even with money?
Despite having money, the scarcity of basic products makes it extremely difficult to obtain food in Cuba. The shelves are empty, and the ration books do not guarantee enough food. This situation reflects not only a supply crisis but also profound inequality and a collapsed economic system.
How has the community on social media reacted to Pastor's videos?
The community on social media has reacted with indignation and gratitude to the videos of José María Pastor. Many people have expressed their pain and frustration over the situation in Cuba, while others thank the YouTuber for bringing to light a reality that many consider to be silenced or glossed over by the Cuban regime.
What impact does the economic situation have on the daily lives of Cubans?
The economic situation in Cuba severely impacts the daily lives of Cubans, who face a constant struggle to obtain food, medicine, and other basic resources. Power outages and the scarcity of essential products are part of everyday life, forcing people to improvise and survive with the little they have.
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