A new video from the Cuban content creator Michel Crónicas, who is based in Mexico, has gone viral on TikTok as it showcases the differences between a simple breakfast in that country and what he considers a "luxury" in his native Cuba.
"In Cuba, having breakfast like a decent person is quite a luxury," asserts the influencer while showcasing his usual breakfast in Mexican lands: seasonal fresh fruits (pineapple and orange), coffee with milk, two eggs with bread and cheese. "Here I can actually have two eggs... with two slices of bread," he says, highlighting the contrast with the scarcity and high cost of these foods on the island.
The content has generated thousands of reactions, primarily from Mexico, where users express surprise, solidarity, and gratitude for their own living conditions. "Many times we don't know how to appreciate what we have," wrote one user. Another commented: "I follow your content; I never thought life was so difficult in Cuba, television never shows that reality."
Michel also points out that in Cuba, eggs are "extremely expensive and hardly available," cheese is only sold in stores for U.S. dollars with little variety, bread is limited to "one per person," and fresh fruit is a privilege. In contrast, Mexico stands out for the accessibility and normalcy of these basic foods.
Moved and polarized comments
Among the more than 60 highlighted comments, many Mexicans express their gratitude for Michel's testimony, stating that "we are blessed in Mexico" and that "we should value it more." Some welcome him as one of their own: "Brother, welcome to your home, which is Mexico," commented one user.
However, there were also critical voices. Some internet users defended the Cuban regime by citing the U.S. "blockade" as the cause of the scarcity. Others questioned why so many Cubans criticize their country or consider the comparisons exaggerated.
A testimony that adds to other voices
This video is not the first viral reflection from Michel. Last May, he shared how staying in a hotel in Mexico was affordable for him, while in Cuba he could never afford it, even as a university professor.
On another occasion, he recounted the ease of transportation in Mexico compared to the hardships of traveling between Cuban provinces, and how constant access to electricity still feels like a privilege to him.
Other Cuban women have also addressed these comparisons. Lietty Piña, based in Mexico, talked about how products like toilet paper, Coca-Cola, and clothing are considered luxuries in Cuba. And Anita Mateu, residing in Spain, emphasized what it means to have the freedom to choose what to have for breakfast or to switch electric companies without restrictions.
Beyond the criticisms or praise, the testimonies of Cuban emigrants are serving as a window for many Latin Americans who, upon hearing these comparisons, are rediscovering everyday life with new eyes.
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