A letter from a Cuban to Santa Claus: "Bring me hope; it's needed here more than a liter of oil."

Amid the everyday struggles faced by the Cuban people, a letter addressed to Santa Claus has captured attention on social media for its blend of humor, nostalgia, and profound despair.

In a country where oil, a basic and essential product, is so scarce that it has become a symbol of need, the author of the letter raises an even more valuable request: hope.

"Bring me a little piece of hope; we need it here more than a liter of oil," pleads Christian Arbolaez, the author of the text shared on Facebook, encapsulating the sentiment of millions who face a constant crisis with ingenuity and resilience.

The letter, written in a friendly and sarcastic tone, starts by acknowledging the limitations of the Cuban system: “I don’t know if this letter will actually reach you, because here the mail moves slower than a sugarcane truck on a bumpy road. But still, I’ll take the chance, because if anyone can work miracles in December, it's you.”

In his lines, the author describes the hardships that affect daily life in Cuba: power outages that make even sleeping difficult, a shortage of water that forces people to carry buckets from communal tanks, and a lack of essential food and medication.

However, instead of succumbing to discouragement, he employs irony to showcase the ingenuity that Cubans have developed in the face of adversity.

Among the material requests he makes to Santa Claus are a fan to alleviate the unbearable heat, a package of chicken, and some rice to prepare a decent Christmas dinner, and even coffee—not just to start the day with energy, but as a symbol of connection and hope.

He also includes a request for the neighbor who, according to him, needs a bag of patience to stop being "angry with the world."

But the letter goes beyond basic needs. In a more reflective tone, the author calls for something that transcends the immediate: a profound change in the country's reality.

"May the evil come to an end, may the clouds allow the light to shine through, and may the dark days turn into bright mornings." In this plea, the author expresses a collective wish: the urgent need for transformation that millions long for, yet seems increasingly distant.

The letter is both a cry for help and a demonstration of the spirit of resistance that characterizes Cubans, who, despite the challenges, find ways to express their emotions and hopes with creativity and humor.

The final message not only expresses gratitude to Santa Claus, but also concludes with a powerful image: “Thank you, Santa, for listening to me. I know you have a lot on your plate, but if you happen to come by and see a little light, it’s not my Christmas tree; it’s the candle I have lit for my wishes to come true and to guide me.”

This candle, symbolizing both precariousness and hope, represents the desire that, at some point, things will change for the better.

The letter, beyond its humor and sarcasm, is a sincere portrait of life in present-day Cuba, where the need for essential products like oil coexists with a deep yearning for hope and stability.

It is, essentially, a reminder that even in the midst of darkness, Cubans continue to seek a light to guide their way.

Frequently Asked Questions about Difficulties and Hopes in Cuba