The young woman, known on TikTok as Rachuqbolá, recorded her experience during a recent visit to the island, where she accessed a store that only accepts payments in foreign currencies. She explained that she was able to pay thanks to her Mexican bank cards, as the system automatically converts the currency.
"I spent a month's salary of any Cuban on a trivial item that wouldn't even last a week," the young woman commented in the video, which lasts just over a minute. Rachuqbolá showcased a small purchase that, as she stated, cost just over 23 dollars. "Imagine having to survive on this for a month; we would starve," she expressed.
The Cuban (@rachuqbola) expressed surprise at the high prices and explained that, although from her perspective as a resident abroad the expenses may seem normal, in Cuba it is unsustainable for someone earning between 12 and 20 dollars a month, according to her words.
The video sparked multiple reactions. Some users criticized the passivity of the Cuban people towards the regime, while others were interested in the payment process at stores in dollars. “Did you pay in USD with your MXN cards?” asked one user. Rachuqbolá replied that all foreign cards are accepted, except those issued in Cuban currency.
Another user calculated that the 23 dollars spent is equivalent to about 460 Mexican pesos. The influencer herself responded that her ticket to Cuba cost between 7,000 and 20,000 pesos, depending on the flight and the season.
There were also messages of empathy: “Very dear, God willing the situation in Cuba will change one day,” wrote one user. Others expressed shock at the precariousness: “There’s no comparison, the Cuban living in Cuba endures and survives in a system that doesn’t work,” commented another user.
The post by Rachuqbolá adds to a series of viral content on TikTok where other Cubans showcase what they can buy with their income. On March 30, tiktoker @el.profesor.cubano, based in Spain, detailed that with a Cuban salary, one can barely purchase wet wipes, sausages, a hamburger, and if lucky, a bar of soap, if available.
Another case was that of @brianna4258, a young woman in Matanzas who documented what she could buy with the minimum pension of a retiree: rice, beans, three eggs, and ground meat. According to official data, almost 40% of retirees in Cuba receive the minimum pension of 1,528 CUP per month, equivalent to about 4 dollars.
Additionally, the creator @itss_henryyy_ showed in a recent video that the minimum wage of 2,100 CUP was not enough to buy two pizzas and basic products such as oil and seasoning, having to add money from his own pocket to complete the purchase.
These testimonies reflect an increasingly difficult reality for thousands of Cubans who, amid shortages and prices in dollars, are facing serious challenges in meeting basic needs.
Frequently asked questions about the economic situation in Cuba and its impact on the population
Why is a $23 purchase in Cuba so significant?
The average monthly salary in Cuba ranges between 12 and 20 dollars, making spending 23 dollars on a basic purchase unsustainable for most Cubans. This highlights the serious economic crisis facing the island, where the prices of basic goods far exceed the incomes of its citizens.
How do payments work in dollar stores in Cuba?
In Cuba, stores that accept dollars allow foreign bank cards, enabling residents abroad to make purchases in foreign currency. Cards issued in Cuban currency are not accepted, which limits access for Cubans who do not have relatives abroad sending them remittances.
What is the impact of dollar stores on the Cuban economy?
Stores in dollars exacerbate social inequality in Cuba, as the majority of Cubans receive their salaries in Cuban pesos and do not have access to foreign currency. This economic policy deepens economic distortions and generates social discontent by excluding those who depend solely on the Cuban peso.
How does inflation affect the daily lives of Cubans?
Inflation in Cuba has skyrocketed the prices of food and essential products, making daily life even more challenging for Cubans. The rise in the cost of living is a reflection of the deep economic crisis the country is experiencing, with a shortage of basic goods leaving many families in a state of extreme precariousness.
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