A Cuban in Chile shared on social media a video that contrasts the variety of breads available in a supermarket in the South American country with the severe shortages experienced on the island. The video has sparked a wave of reactions on TikTok.
"2025 and they still give one bread per person in Cuba, good thing I left in 2013," begins @eldrmulato. As he walks through the shelves filled with bread in a Chilean store, he lists the many varieties available: marraqueta, coliza peruana, ciabatta, flaxseed bread, completo bread, among others.
The video also features a segment where the presidential candidate of the Communist Party (PC) and former Minister of Labor, Jeannette Jara states that Cuba "has a democratic system distinct from ours." In response, the video's creator sarcastically remarks, “This is democracy: where with your salary you can buy bread, any kind you want, of all types and all varieties.”
The video concludes with a critique of the Cuban system and a defense of the Chilean economic model: “Because of those things, now the savage, cruel capitalism, that one.”
Reactions: support, criticism, and political debate
Reactions to the video came quickly. Several Chilean users expressed solidarity and a warm welcome to the Cubans: “Welcome all Cubans to our country, enjoy what you couldn’t do before,” wrote Charly MP. Others, like Paola Andrea González, celebrated being born in Chile: “I feel pity for that country, and I am grateful to have been born in Chile. Long live a free Chile!”
Some comments also focused on the Cuban political situation: “Communism and the revolution destroyed everything,” stated a user. In contrast, some viewers criticized the use of the term “wild capitalism” or called for a greater emphasis on enjoying freedom rather than making political comparisons.
Responses infused with humor and astonishment were not lacking: “Let my mom come and see all this; I think she would have a fit in the supermarket,” commented one user, while someone else asked in surprise, “Which market is that? So much bread?”
A shocking contrast: no bread in Cuba
While in Chile a supermarket can display a variety of breads like those in the video, in Cuba the situation is diametrically opposite, where many provinces such as Artemisa, Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, and Camagüey are facing extreme rationing of regulated bread, attributable to the chronic shortage of wheat flour, power outages, and lack of fuel.
In Artemisa, for instance, the flour has begun to be mixed with sweet potato, cassava, and pumpkin to stretch the limited raw materials, and the regulated bread is only distributed on alternate days.
In Guantánamo, bread is only available for children under 13 years old and prioritized social centers.
The situation is not better in Santiago de Cuba, where distribution relies on the flour that arrives from Havana. The local mill is halted, and in some municipalities, wood-fired ovens have had to be used.
In Mayabeque, bread delivery can take up to four days, with reduced weights and poor quality.
A critique that transcends bread
The video of El Dr Mulato is placed in a context where basic nutrition in Cuba is a structural problem worsened by years of crisis, state inefficiency, and a lack of sustainable solutions. Its publication raises once again the question that many Cubans both inside and outside the island are asking: how long will this last?
Frequently Asked Questions about Bread Shortages in Cuba and Comparison with Other Countries
What is the current situation of bread in Cuba?
In Cuba, bread is distributed in a rationed and limited manner, with many provinces facing a severe shortage due to a lack of wheat flour, blackouts, and a fuel shortage. In provinces like Artemisa, Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, and Camagüey, the situation is critical, with some even mixing flour with other ingredients to stretch the available raw materials.
Why do emigrated Cubans compare the situation of bread in Cuba to that of other countries?
Cuban emigrants use social media to show the contrast between the scarcity of basic goods like bread in Cuba and the abundance available in other countries such as Chile or the United States. This contrast is used to criticize the inefficiency of the Cuban economic system and highlight the differences in quality of life between countries.
How do Cubans abroad react when they see the abundance of products in other countries?
Many Cubans experience a mix of emotions, from joy and surprise to sadness and nostalgia when confronted with the abundance of products in foreign supermarkets. These feelings often reflect the stark contrast with the scarcity they experienced in Cuba.
What impact does the shortage of bread have on daily life in Cuba?
The scarcity of bread in Cuba has a significant impact on the daily lives of Cubans, who must stand in long lines and often face the disappointment of being unable to obtain this basic food item. This situation reflects a broader supply crisis on the island, affecting not only nutrition but also the overall quality of life.
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