A Cuban woman living in Matanzas has stirred up a buzz on social media after posting a video showing what she was able to buy with 22,000 Cuban pesos. The TikTok user, identified as Sheyla (@sheyreyes03), detailed her purchase of food and essential products, highlighting the high cost of living on the island.
In the video, the young woman explains that with that amount of money, she bought a carton of eggs, a can of condensed milk, a package of chicken breast, three packs of hamburgers, four packs of sausages, a package of chicken liver, fresh potatoes and frozen fries, a bottle of oil, a pack of powdered detergent, a bottle of liquid detergent, and other essential products. At the end of the video, she invites her followers to comment on the prices.
The video sparked an intense debate on TikTok, where many users expressed their astonishment at the high prices of products in Cuba. Among the most common reactions, several people asked how many dollars are equivalent to 22,000 Cuban pesos (about 64 dollars based on the exchange rate in the informal market), while others criticized the island's economic precariousness.
“How much is it in dollars?” several users asked. “More than 95% of the population in Cuba can’t afford this,” commented one user, noting that the average salary on the island is only 3,000 pesos.
Other reactions reflected concern for the quality of life of Cubans who do not receive remittances from abroad. "I can only imagine how the people who don’t receive any help are coping," wrote a follower. There were also those who compared the situation to other countries: "In Venezuela, the monthly salary is 3 dollars," commented another user.
Sheyla's video is not the first to highlight the economic crisis in Cuba. Just a few weeks ago, the same user shared another video showing what she was able to buy with 16,000 Cuban pesos, in which she emphasized the difficulty of obtaining basic products like oil and rice. Shortly before, the Cuban vice president, Salvador Valdés Mesa, admitted that "even with a salary of 6,000 pesos one cannot live on the island."
Inflation in Cuba has driven up prices of food and essential products. Recently, rice in the black market reached 300 pesos per pound, while bread in Santiago de Cuba rose to 50 pesos per unit due to flour shortages. Additionally, at the José Martí International Airport, a simple tub of ice cream is sold for 4 dollars (equivalent to over 1,000 Cuban pesos), causing outrage among citizens.
An uncertain landscape
The increase in the cost of living in Cuba reflects the deep economic crisis the country is experiencing. The shortage of basic goods, the devaluation of the Cuban peso, and inflation have left many families in a state of extreme precariousness. Although the government has announced measures such as the arrival of ships with wheat for flour production, the effects of these initiatives have yet to be reflected in price stability.
Meanwhile, Cubans both inside and outside the island continue to report on social media the difficult reality they face, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions to alleviate the country's economic crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Economic and Social Crisis in Cuba
How much is 22,000 Cuban pesos worth in dollars?
The purchase of 22,000 Cuban pesos is approximately equivalent to 64 dollars, according to the exchange rate in the informal market. In Cuba, the high cost of basic products makes this amount inaccessible for most of the population, whose average salary is only 3,000 Cuban pesos.
Why is the cost of living in Cuba so high?
The cost of living in Cuba is high due to the combination of scarcity of basic goods, inflation, and the devaluation of the Cuban peso. Inflation has driven up the prices of food and essential products, leaving many families in a state of extreme precariousness. Despite the government's attempts to stabilize prices, the measures taken have not had a significant impact on alleviating the economic crisis.
How do power outages affect the quality of life in Cuba?
Frequent blackouts significantly affect the quality of life in Cuba, making everyday tasks like cooking and refrigerating food difficult. The lack of electricity worsens the economic situation, as many foods spoil and the daily stress for families increases, forcing them to seek alternatives to keep their homes running.
What impact do social media have on the visibility of the Cuban crisis?
Social media plays a crucial role in highlighting the economic and social crisis in Cuba. Through platforms like TikTok, Cubans share their daily experiences, showcasing the reality of the country. These testimonies not only reflect the struggle for daily survival but also spark discussions about the need for effective solutions and the government's role in the crisis.
Filed under:
