The Cuban influencer based in Miami, Eileen Morales, sparked an intense conversation on TikTok after responding to a user who claimed to have returned from Cuba and seen "everything," stating that "like everywhere, if you have money, you live."
Morales questioned that perspective and explained that what is perceived as normalcy in tourist areas does not reflect the reality of the country. "You can go to Cuba, for example, to a restaurant, with your money from the United States, and see well-dressed people, people eating, people with cellphones, and think that everything is fine... but that is not Cuba, darling," he pointed out.
In his brief but powerful reflection, he denounced that the image corresponds to a minority with access to foreign currency, while “the other, the real Cuba, is the one with blackouts, the one with the rationing book, the one with children going without breakfast, the one with people without medication.” He also urged not to be misled by a superficial experience and stated: “Don’t judge Cuba by what you saw on your vacation. Cuba is not what it shows, Cuba is what it hides.”
Your video triggered thousands of reactions in the comments, both supportive and dissenting. Many users shared similar experiences, especially Venezuelans and Latin Americans who have lived under authoritarian regimes. “That's right, the same happens in my country Venezuela,” commented one user. Others agreed on the severity of the contrast between the tourist image and reality: “That phrase was epic, Cuba is not what it shows, it's what it hides,” wrote another user. Critical voices also emerged that downplayed the complaint: “That happens all over the world” or “Can’t you talk about the blockade, or are you scared?” some asked. There were even those who defended tourism as a source of income, while others accused them of speaking out only “now that you're out.”
In a second video, Morales expanded his reflection in response to a user who claimed that this situation was not exclusive to Cuba. “Cuba's case is particularly different due to its political structure,” she reacted, explaining that “communism is a political and economic system where the government owns almost everything: schools, hospitals, factories, lands, media, companies… everything,” and that, although entrepreneurship is officially allowed, the reality is that “there is too much bureaucracy, too much oversight, all of this to hinder the development of independent businesses.”
He contrasted his current life in the U.S. with what it would have been like on the island: “I started with a cell phone making little videos. Now I have a business, sponsors, my own brand. In Cuba, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of that because in Cuba, if you shine too bright, they dim your light.” Morales emphasized that in countries like the United States, there are tools to succeed, while in Cuba, “you can’t own two houses, you can’t start a factory, you can’t grow.”
The influencer has expressed this critical stance on previous occasions. In a video posted a few days ago, Morales condemned that “all that tourism money is pocketed by the government and does not help the people,” and expressed her sorrow at seeing foreign tourists enjoying the country while “a child is dying from lack of food.” In that instance, she also recalled her own migration process, having to leave her child behind, and denounced the precariousness of the Cuban healthcare system.
Morales' perspective reflects the growing discontent caused by images like those from the Meliá Paradisus Los Cayos hotel, where a TikTok user recently filmed a buffet table full of cold cuts, meats, and desserts. “Who said there’s no food in Cuba?” she sarcastically remarked while showcasing trays filled with products that are unattainable for most of the population. The comments on social media were clear: “People no longer want to support dictatorships,” wrote one user. Another added: “There are Cubans who will die without seeing half of what’s there.”
This type of content has reignited the debate on inequality in Cuba, where the regime allocated over 36.8 billion CUP to the tourism sector in 2024, while agriculture received barely 2.7% of the total investments. According to official figures, national pork production fell from 200,000 tons in 2018 to only 9,000 in 2024, turning pork into a luxury item. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero acknowledged that each territory "will have to depend on what it is able to produce," a statement that, for many, encapsulates the collapse of the state model.
In that context, voices like Eileen Morales have become a reference for many Cubans inside and outside the island. Her message, direct and unambiguous, encapsulates the collective pain of exile and the frustration of those who feel that the image projected of Cuba to the world does not reflect the truth: "Cuba is not what it shows, it is what it hides."
Frequently Asked Questions about Tourism in Cuba and the Political Situation
Why does Eileen Morales criticize the tourist perspective of Cuba?
Eileen Morales criticizes the tourist perspective of Cuba because she believes it does not represent the reality of the country. According to her, what is seen in tourist areas is merely a façade that conceals the true situation of scarcity, power outages, and lack of basic resources faced by the majority of Cubans. Morales argues that tourism primarily benefits the Cuban government rather than the people.
How does the Cuban political system affect the lives of its citizens according to Morales?
Morales points out that communism in Cuba entails almost total government control over goods and services, which hampers private initiative and personal development. He claims that in Cuba, it is very difficult to prosper due to bureaucracy and excessive oversight, which prevents citizens from growing economically and achieving their goals.
What impact does tourism have on the Cuban economy?
Tourism in Cuba is designed to primarily benefit the Cuban regime, according to Morales. Although the tourism sector receives significant investment, it does not translate into improvements for the general population. The revenues generated by tourism often end up in the hands of the government, without a direct impact on the well-being of the Cuban people, who continue to face shortages and unmet basic needs.
What is the current health situation in Cuba according to Eileen Morales?
Eileen Morales reports that the Cuban health system is facing severe deterioration, with a lack of medications and medical personnel. She shares personal experiences where her family has not received adequate medical attention due to a shortage of resources and the inefficiency of the system. This reflects a deep crisis in what is considered one of the achievements of the Cuban government, but in practice, it fails to meet the needs of the population.
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