A Cuban identified on TikTok as @brianna4258 reacted on social media to the potatoes that were sold to her grandparents at a market in Matanzas. In a video posted on the platform, the young woman showcased the tiny potatoes they received and labeled the situation as a "disrespect."
“Look at the potatoes they gave my grandparents. It’s a complete lack of respect,” she begins to say in the recording while holding one of the potatoes in her hand and comparing it to a quail egg. Brianna shares that after a long night without electricity, she decided to visit her grandparents. “As you know, we were still disconnected from the National Electric System, and well, look, here my grandparents live in this building,” she said in the video shared a few hours ago, where she explained that upon arriving, they were met with the joy of their family, especially her baby, who loves spending time with his great-grandfather.
Later, while preparing lunch, she noticed the size of the potatoes they had been sold: "This is a complete lack of respect, look over here, a quail egg is bigger than one of those potatoes. Do you think it's right to sell those potatoes to people?" She criticized that, despite the obvious hardships, they continue to take advantage of the people's needs.
Due to the lack of electricity, they had to cook with charcoal. "Lunch was coming to an end, and since my grandmother was buying for me, she made me a delicious ajiaco."
In the comments, several users responded to the complaint. Some highlighted the difficulty of buying food in Cuba and lamented that citizens do not have the option to choose the products they receive. "In Cuba, you have to take what the State wants, not what you want, and it's very hard to even get those small potatoes because you have to wake up early to stand in line to get something," commented one user. Others criticized the lack of action in response to the crisis: "I don't understand anything, why don't they protest? They must do something; an elderly person shouldn't have to live in those conditions." There were also those who recalled that protesting in Cuba has consequences. "They throw you in jail for protesting, that's why people are afraid," stated another user.
Some reactions expressed outrage and despair. "That is a lack of respect; what’s happening in that country shows they don’t even care about the elderly," lamented one follower. "How difficult it is; it’s not easy to live like this," another shared. One user questioned: "Why doesn't the Cuban people rise up in a revolution?" while another commented: "In communist regimes, there is no freedom of expression." Some offered practical advice, like one person who suggested: "Fill a bucket with soil and place a potato inside; that way you begin planting," and another who explained: "Here in the Yuma, they sell those small potatoes, and they are more expensive than the larger ones."
This is not Brianna's first video related to the sale of potatoes in Cuba. A few days ago, she posted another recording where she documented the arrival of potatoes in Matanzas and expressed her disappointment that they were only selling two pounds per person. "Just imagine, after such a long time without eating potatoes, being told that they will only give you two pounds," she commented then.
The food crisis in Cuba continues to generate outrage, with constant reports of shortages, prices, and poor quality of products in state markets. Meanwhile, more Cubans are using platforms like TikTok to highlight the challenges of day-to-day life. Brianna's complaint not only reflects a specific issue with the quality of a product but also underscores the difficulties faced by Cubans in accessing food amid a prolonged crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Situation in Cuba
Why is the quality of food in Cuba so low?
The quality of food in Cuba is low due to the economic crisis and lack of resources. The shortage of products, rationing, and lack of investment in agricultural production contribute to the poor quality of available food, as evidenced by the tiny potatoes sold in Matanzas.
How does the energy crisis affect food in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba severely impacts families' ability to cook and preserve food. Frequent power outages force Cubans to resort to rudimentary methods such as cooking with charcoal or firewood, which complicates the preparation of daily meals and can lead to the loss of perishable food items.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the food crisis?
The Cuban government has imposed price caps on certain products such as rice and beans, but these measures have not resolved the food crisis. Inflation and the black market continue to be problematic, and effective solutions have not been implemented to increase national food production.
Why can't Cubans choose the food they buy?
In Cuba, the government controls the distribution of food, which limits citizens' ability to choose what they buy. Products are rationed and distributed in limited quantities, forcing Cubans to accept what is offered to them, regardless of quality or quantity.
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