The Cuban content creator known on TikTok as @el.profesor.cubano, based in Cartagena, Murcia, sparked reactions on social media after posting a video in which he gruesomely details what can be bought today in Cuba with an average salary.
“Here for you, Spanish friend watching me, who doesn't know how things work in Cuba, I'm going to quickly explain what you can buy with a salary,” the young man begins, son of the comedian Antolín El Pichón.
The video, which lasts just under three minutes, has sparked a flood of comments from both Cubans and Spaniards, surprised by the portrayal of a reality that many are unaware of. “You earn about 15 euros a month, let’s say 20... well, let’s say 20 a month, you have a tremendous salary. You’re going to buy this: some wet wipes. The price is more or less the same, or even more expensive, in Cuba,” says the young man while showing the product on camera.
Next, he explains that it’s not just a matter of going to the store to buy them, but rather about rushing in a desperate race upon hearing that “they have wipes.” “So-and-so calls you: ‘Hey, hurry up, they just released wipes at such-and-such market.’ At that time, if you’re doing laundry, if you’re... no, just take the bike, walk, go that way to see if you can catch the wipes.”
Beyond the description of the shortages, the video exposes the system of favors and bartering that often dictates access to basic goods. "You have the phone number of the person working at the store. 'Save me a little package; I'll be there in 10 minutes.' But that 'save me a little package' means that she’s very close to you, or that you have a deal," he explains. "Maybe you work at the bakery, and since the bread... you know... you then solve her a little loaf from time to time."
The Cuban continues to list what can be bought with a monthly salary: a sausage, a hamburger, and, if lucky, a shampoo, two kilos of rice, and a soap. “This gelatin doesn’t exist. If you manage to get it, it seems to me that your salary is about to run out. These kinds of things are never purchased. If you earn 20 euros, what are you going to buy that costs about 3 or 4 in Cuba? A friend of yours has to buy it when they go, maybe because they know that your kid hasn’t had a cookie in ages.”
The post generated dozens of reactions, many of which were supportive and confirming from other Cubans. One user commented: “Professor, 20 is too much. My sister has a law degree and earns about 11 euros,” while another pointed out that with 1,500 pesos, the minimum pension, one can barely buy a pound of rice, some beans, and three eggs. “It's a sad reality. Most people don’t make it to 10 euros a month,” added another person. There was also shock from outside Cuba. “How terrifying to be a mother there. They don’t even let you feed your children,” wrote a Spanish woman, while another noted, “In Spain we have to fight, but in Cuba…”
The video also generated questions from European users trying to understand how it is possible to survive on such low incomes. “And how do you have a phone or internet if you can’t afford to eat?” asked one user. “We, the family members who live abroad, help them... to make it clearer: we support them,” replied another internet user. The reality of remittances as a basic support for thousands of Cuban families was once again highlighted in the comments section.
Others were more direct in their criticism of the system. “Everything is like this because of communism. Poor is the country that follows the Cuban model,” said a user identified as @roy. “Then the Cubans living in Spain complain about everything,” quipped another. There were also those who attempted to compare the situation with Spain: “With 1,800 euros you can’t do anything here,” said someone. The creator himself responded to several of these opinions with phrases like “Yes” and “Exactly,” reinforcing his testimony with the support of those who live or have lived the same reality.
The video from @el.profesor.cubano is part of a wave of content that in recent months has documented the impossibility of meeting basic needs in Cuba with state salaries. Recently, from Matanzas, a young woman demonstrated that with the minimum pension of a retiree, she could only buy rice, beans, three eggs, and a little bit of minced meat. In another recent case, a creator known as El Henry published a tour of kiosks in Havana where he attempted to make a purchase with the minimum salary of 2,100 pesos: he had to withdraw extra money to buy two pizzas.
Also, a Cuban teacher on maternity leave revealed that her reduced salary barely covered basic products, leaving her unable to afford a 1,000 CUP toy for her son. In another viral video, a woman explained how her husband’s salary as a lawyer, with a monthly income of 4,700 pesos, was not enough to cover the weekly grocery expenses.
Prices in Cuba continue to rise. In the market at 19 and B in El Vedado, Havana, mangoes have been documented at 500 pesos per pound, lemons at 600, ají cachucha at 1,000, and tomatoes at 120. At the recent Book Fair in Matanzas, children's pop-up books were sold for 1,050 CUP. A young woman also reported spending 22,000 pesos on food and basic products, as highlighted in this viral video.
Even officials of the regime have acknowledged the untenability of the situation. In February of this year, Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa admitted that "even with a salary of 6,000 pesos, one cannot live on the island," without providing concrete measures.
Although on other occasions he has gained notoriety for his humorous videos, like one where he sold "Cuban-style" products at a market in Spain or another where he explained to his mother-in-law what she should pack for a trip to Cuba, this time @el.profesor.cubano opted for a more serious and straightforward tone. The conclusion of his video makes it clear: “Don’t let anyone tell you a story. The play is exactly as I’m saying it.”
Frequently asked questions about the economic situation in Cuba
What can be bought with an average salary in Cuba?
With an average salary in Cuba, which ranges from 15 to 20 euros per month, very few basic products can be purchased. The video by @el.profesor.cubano shows that with this income, it is barely possible to acquire items like wet wipes, a sausage, a hamburger, and with some luck, a shampoo, two kilos of rice, and a soap. Moreover, access to these products is not straightforward, as it involves a race to obtain them due to widespread shortages.
How do remittances influence the economy of Cubans?
Remittances play a crucial role in the economy of many Cuban families. Given that salaries in Cuba are insufficient to cover basic needs, relatives abroad often send money to help their loved ones on the island. This financial support is essential for the survival of many people, allowing them to access goods and services that would otherwise be out of reach.
What is the perception of Cubans regarding access to basic products in Cuba compared to other countries?
Cubans perceive a significant difference in access to basic products compared to other countries. In Cuba, shortages and high prices are a daily reality, while in countries like Spain or the United States, essential products are more readily available. This contrast is reflected in the surprise of Cuban emigrants when they see the variety of products in other places and the difficulty of imagining how people survive on current incomes on the island.
What strategies do Cubans use to survive on low incomes?
Cubans resort to a variety of strategies to survive on low incomes. These include bartering, personal connections to secure scarce products, and reliance on remittances from abroad. Additionally, many participate in the informal economy as a way to supplement their state incomes and access basic goods that they cannot purchase with their official salaries.
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