The dissemination of a bewildering video recorded on Calzada del Cerro, in front of the fire station and near the Canal community, in the municipality of Cerro, in Havana, has sparked a wave of reactions and speculation.
In the images, more than a dozen people—many of whom are elderly—desperately bend down in the middle of the street to pick up papers scattered on the ground, which were thrown by a boy accompanied by a young man.
The determination with which several people were simultaneously willing to risk their lives standing in the middle of the road, amidst circulating cars to collect "the little papers," continues to be a topic of discussion.
The most curious thing: no one seems to know for sure what they were collecting.
They have the shape of banknotes, but from a distance, they look more like blank sheets of paper.
The video, posted on Facebook by the singer Saúl Manuel on May 25, without any type of clarifying explanation, sparked a storm of over 1,300 comments filled with morbid curiosity, mockery, disdain, social criticism, and moral outrage.
The hypotheses: What did people gather?
1. Political propaganda (Flyers)
One of the most repeated versions is that they were leaflets, little papers with political messages, generally critical of the government. However, this version loses credibility when considering how quickly Cuban authorities usually respond in such cases.
2. Money (false?)
Others claimed to have seen "one peso bills," "one hundred euro bills," "dollars"...
Some justified the scene by the extreme economic necessity: "Even if it was just one, with the hunger that exists, it makes sense," commented a user.
However, several others contradicted this version, claiming that if it had been money, "not even the cars would have been able to pass."
3. Papers without value (for wrapping or sanitary use)
A more humorous hypothesis—though it might actually be the truth—suggests that the papers were wrappers from caramel-coated coconut treats that blew away from a local vendor, and that the witnesses were kindly attempting to hold onto them to help her.
But in that case, what role does the child with Tekashi's airs play?
"Now the little coconuts will have churre too," joked a user following that hypothesis.
Others even spoke of the possibility that they could be electric bills or toilet paper.
A skeptic remarked, “Anything that can be used to wipe your behind, because toilet paper is expensive.”
4. Tickets, commercial advertising, or lottery
A minority suggested that they were "invitations to a reparterism concert," "tickets for the Mipyme," or even "slips of paper with lottery numbers."
5. A hidden camera?
Hidden cameras often test people's spontaneous reactions to prepared or unusual situations, but it is also true that there is usually a follow-up where what happened is revealed, an explanation that is absent in the footage mentioned.
The scene beyond the paper: need, dignity, and control
Regardless of what was actually collected, the episode has served as a mirror to observe in a raw and public manner the deterioration of living conditions in Cuba and the ideological divisions that permeate society, both on the island and beyond.
Phrases like "They have been robbed of their dignity," "Throw out scraps, and the people will pick up whatever," or "Let them collect little papers, but they do not demand freedom" reflect deep discontent and polarization.
While some accuse those who collect papers of being "submissive," "lackeys," or "starving," others appeal to empathy: "It's very easy to criticize from outside, but there are people here who are truly hungry."
What does this say about present-day Cuba?
This episode highlights three fundamental tensions of the Cuban moment:
-The extreme material need that can drive people to humiliating acts for whatever is on the ground.
-The institutional discredit generates distrust even in the simplest events: no one believes in anything, and everything is interpreted as manipulation.
The social and symbolic fracture between those who still believe in the system, those who openly reject it, and those who simply survive, without faith or a future.
What started as a street recording has transformed into a viral phenomenon that, with rawness and sarcasm, encapsulates many of the current contradictions and pains of Cuban society.
Perhaps we will never know for certain what was being gathered that day in El Cerro, but what is clear is that the act of desperately bending down to pick something up from the ground is no longer just physical: it is also symbolic of a country that has been forced to bow down too many times.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Shocking Viral Video in Havana
What does the viral video recorded in Cerro, La Habana show?
The video shows more than a dozen people, many of whom are elderly, bending down in the middle of the street to pick up papers scattered on the ground, thrown by a child accompanied by a young man. No one seems to know for sure what they were picking up, which has led to multiple speculations about its contents.
What are the main hypotheses regarding the content of the papers collected in the video?
The hypotheses regarding what the papers were include the possibility that they could be political propaganda, counterfeit money, mere worthless papers, or even tickets or lottery entries. However, none of these theories have been officially confirmed, keeping speculation alive.
What reactions has the video sparked on social media?
The video has sparked over 1,300 comments on social media, where a mix of sensationalism, mockery, disdain, social criticism, and moral outrage can be found. Many users have used the scene to reflect the deterioration of living conditions in Cuba, and the ideological division within Cuban society.
What does the act of picking up paper from the ground symbolize in the current Cuban context?
Beyond what was actually collected, the act of bending down to pick up papers symbolizes the desperation and extreme need that many people in Cuba experience. It is a reflection of the economic and social crisis that forces Cubans to stoop for any opportunity for relief, often under humiliating conditions.
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