"Cuba doesn't need more tourists, but rather freedom, justice, and truth." With these words, the Spanish influencer Laura Méndez delivered a powerful message on social media to discourage tourism to the island, denouncing the reality that — she claims — is hidden behind the postcard image of beaches and mojitos promoted by the regime.
The video, recorded during his stay in Cuba in 2022 and recently republished on TikTok, has gone viral again with thousands of interactions. In it, Méndez warns: "Look at this before buying your flight", and starts his message by saying: "Are you going to Cuba for vacation? For many, Cuba is a Caribbean paradise—beaches, mojitos, music... but behind that postcard image, there is a reality that tourists do not see, and the Cuban regime works very hard to hide it."
The young woman claims that “while you are in a five-star hotel, there are Cubans standing in line for eight hours for a bit of bread” and that “there is food in Cuba, yes, but only for those who have access to dollars or euros”. She also denounces that “most earn in Cuban pesos and cannot afford even a liter of oil because it costs 10 euros and the minimum wage is 20”.
The video has generated significant support on social media. Many Cubans are expressing their gratitude to the influencer for her bravery, with messages like "Thank you for speaking the truth," "Homeland and Life," "Down with the dictatorship," and "Thank you for being our voice." Some users also pointed out that her testimony has more impact than that of many public Cuban figures living abroad.
In her message, Laura Méndez states that “this is not an opinion, it’s a reality documented by official organizations” and adds: “Did you know that if they post this on social media as a complaint, they could end up in jail? There are hundreds of prisoners for telling the truth”.
He also denounces that "the regime promotes tourism as a source of income, but that money does not go to the Cuban people; it goes to the military and the elite of the Communist Party". In conclusion, he states: "If you go to Cuba and don't speak about what’s happening, you are financing and supporting a dictatorship. It is not an exotic destination, it is an open-air prison for millions of people".
The message concludes with a direct call to action: “The least you can do is not to be complicit in this abuse. So don’t travel to Cuba and don’t look the other way. Share this so that people truly know what is happening.”
Most of the comments on social media have been supportive. Many Cubans both on the island and abroad have expressed their gratitude for his gesture, with messages such as "Thank you for exposing us to the world," "Your video has said what many of us cannot say," and "No more trips that finance the dictatorship". Some users criticized his trip to Cuba, but others justified it: "If he hadn't gone, he wouldn't have found out."
A coherent speech
It is not the first time that Laura Méndez has expressed her critical stance on the situation in Cuba. Last May, she criticized the Mexican YouTuber Luisito Comunica for portraying a sugar-coated image of the island. “He has eaten more in a day than a Cuban does in an entire month,” she said at the time, pointing out that “what he showed is not the real Cuba that I lived and that millions of Cubans experience every day.”
He also stated that, even with money, life in Cuba is unsustainable: “I left five kilos lighter despite having 2,000 euros in my pocket.”
Other similar cases
Laura Méndez joins a growing wave of international influencers and content creators who denounce the situation in Cuba based on their personal experiences.
The Spaniards from the Black Mango podcast described the island as “a prison with a blue sky”; the YouTuber Juanjo Dalmau has shown the misery in agromarkets and neighborhoods of Havana where “the meat is full of flies”; and the American Adventure Elliot spoke directly about a “humanitarian crisis” with crumbling buildings, families in precarious conditions, and desperate internal migration.
In all cases, the testimonies agree in denouncing repression, food shortages, digital censorship, and the use of tourism as a propaganda tool.
Laura Méndez, for her part, has contributed with her new video to the ongoing debate about the role of tourism in Cuba and the ethical responsibility of those who visit or promote the country. Her stance leaves no room for doubt: "Cuba does not need more tourists, but freedom" .
Frequently asked questions about the situation in Cuba and the impact of tourism
Why does influencer Laura Méndez urge against traveling to Cuba?
Laura Méndez urges against traveling to Cuba because she believes that tourism funds the dictatorial regime and does not benefit the Cuban people. According to her, the income from tourism goes to the military and the elite of the Communist Party, while citizens face serious shortages and repression. Her message on social media has been supported by many Cubans who appreciate her courage in exposing these situations.
What is the economic situation in Cuba according to Laura Méndez?
Laura Méndez describes the economic situation in Cuba as critical, emphasizing that while there is food, it is only available to those with access to foreign currency. Most Cubans earn in pesos, which prevents them from acquiring basic products due to the high prices. Furthermore, Méndez has noted that, despite traveling with enough money, she faced food shortages and lost weight during her stay on the island.
What impact does tourism have on the lives of Cubans?
Tourism in Cuba generates income that does not directly benefit the local population. Testimonials from influencers and tourists highlight that tourism revenue is primarily allocated to maintaining the regime, while the population suffers from shortages of food, medicine, and basic services. This inequality is evident in the contrast between the luxury of hotels for tourists and the misery in which many Cubans live day to day.
What have other influencers said about the reality in Cuba?
Several influencers have reported on the humanitarian crisis in Cuba, highlighting the scarcity, repression, and poor living conditions. Influencers like Juanjo Dalmau, Adventure Elliot, and the Cuban Eileen Morales have exposed the repression and the use of tourism as propaganda, while Luisito Comunica has shared images of the misery that astonish millions of followers. These testimonies align in stating that the regime hides the reality behind a tourist facade.
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