The Spanish youtuber Juanjo Dalmau, creator of the channel Viajando con Dalmau, has once again shaken up social media with a new video filmed in Cuba, in which he showcases the precarious sanitary conditions under which meat is sold in a farmer's market on the island. The footage was published on TikTok and has generated a wave of reactions both inside and outside the country.
In the video, just over two minutes long, Dalmau (@jdalmau_) talks with several sellers and buyers while observing the meat displayed outdoors, cut on a wooden board. “It’s full of flies and this is the meat we're going to eat here,” comments the influencer, while focusing on the counter and the surroundings filled with wires, peeling walls, and a lack of hygiene.
During the recording, the Spaniard expresses his concern by asking, "Can this be eaten?", to which a customer responds with resignation, "Yes, it can be eaten; I’ve been eating it until now." The vendor also confirms that all the merchandise is usually sold by the end of the day. "This is what's left for today," he explains.
The video, titled “This is how they sell food in Cuba”, has received over a thousand reactions and dozens of comments, many of which are conflicting. While some users defended this form of commerce as part of the Cuban reality, others warned about the health risks.
The comments reflect a wide range of opinions. Some defended the situation as normal within the Cuban context: “That's how I grew up and I weigh 220 pounds,” wrote one user, while others stated that “in Cuba, it has always been sold this way.” In a more critical tone, several users denounced the lack of minimum hygiene conditions: “That's a risk; there's no hygiene anywhere,” commented another. Some wondered why the meat isn't covered to prevent flies from landing on it.
There were also those who pointed out that these images reflect the results of the country's political model: "This is the price of sociocommunism," "Achievements of communist cancer," they asserted. Meanwhile, other users compared the situation to a "time machine" that transports one to the past or to countries in extreme situations.
This video is part of a series of recent materials recorded by Juanjo Dalmau during his visit to Cuba, where he has documented the crisis the country is experiencing. In a previous post, he stated that in Cuba “you don't choose what you want to eat, you survive with the little that is available”, while showing a long line in front of a Havana store and streets filled with garbage.
In another video, he documented the urban decay of Havana and the critical state of its housing, noting that “this looks like it's going to fall apart.” He also accompanied a Cuban father on his quest to get milk for his daughter, revealing the severe shortage of basic food items on the island.
Additionally, he showcased the deterioration of the Calixto García Hospital, describing it as “a nightmare” and highlighting the lack of medications, hygiene, and maintenance in one of the country’s main medical centers.
Dalmau's video series has made a significant impact on social media, eliciting reactions that range from indignation to gratitude. While some accuse him of exaggerating or "exploiting misery," many praise him for shedding light on "real Cuba" and for showing what "other influencers dare not reveal."
Dalmau, who has traveled to various countries showcasing his reality without filters, has become a critical voice regarding the situation in Cuba, highlighting issues such as poverty, urban decay, food insecurity, and institutional neglect. His videos continue to spark debate while the Cuban people face one of the deepest crises in recent decades.
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