A Cuban resident in Italy exploded on TikTok against a comment accusing her of lying about the current situation in Cuba. Her powerful response has resonated among Cubans both on and off the island, clearly denouncing the precarious conditions experienced in the country.
The controversy started after a video in which the user @bebesita32.2 shared warnings for those traveling to Cuba, offering recommendations regarding blackouts, insecurity, shortages of medication, and scams. In response, someone wrote to her: “Which Cuba are you talking about? I just went, and everything you're saying is a lie.”
The reaction was immediate. "This comment is offensive; it is offensive to 11 million Cubans," the creator responded. "Whether it's those who are inside the island dying of hunger, suffering immensely, without medication, without electricity, without water, without gas, without resources. Do you understand? No human being should live like that."
With a firm tone, he questioned the user experience that trivialized the situation: “Where did you go? No, I think you confused the country. It’s falling apart, it’s depressing what the Cuban people are experiencing in there.” He added: “Hunger and misery lead to criminality, and unfortunately, that’s what’s happening on the island. It’s every man for himself.”
The Cuban defended her right to express her opinion based on her experience: “I have family in Cuba, and I go to Cuba to see my family. I lived in Cuba. You can’t sell me a story or try to pull a fast one on me.” She then expressed her outrage with another statement: “Or are you a communist trying to cover the sun with a finger? Don’t come to me trying to cover the sun with a finger. You know very well that the situation is depressing.”
He also criticized the egocentrism of those who generalize their experience: “Just because you had a good time in Cuba doesn’t mean that Cuba isn’t in flames or that everything said is a lie. Don’t you see the news? Don’t you see everything that’s happening around you? What world are you living in, darling? Respect, respect so that you can be respected.”
Support in the comments
The reactions to the video were mostly supportive. Many users shared similar testimonies about the precarious situation on the island. “My family in Pinar del Río has been without power for four days, without food; they’ve had to dismantle a piano to make firewood,” one woman recounted. “Only tourists live well there because Cubans are completely forgotten by their government,” another pointed out.
"It's not the same to spend a week partying at a hotel than to live what the Cuban lives," commented a user. Another added: "Since my last trip, it has worsened. Every day is much worse; there is no other way out."
The warning that started the debate
The original video that prompted the comment had already been covered by CiberCuba on May 27. In it, the user warned about the risks of traveling to the island, recommending to avoid private homes due to power outages, to bring medications, and to be cautious of scams. “Don’t let your guard down, because Cuba is not as you remember it,” she warned on that occasion.
Similar testimonials from Spain
Other voices have coincided in pointing out the deterioration in Cuba. The YouTubers from the Spanish channel Black Mango reported in their podcast the “terrible reality” they experienced in humble neighborhoods of Havana: daily blackouts, hunger, houses without doors, constant surveillance, and a feeling of confinement. One of the testimonies they collected was particularly revealing: “I do not know Santiago de Cuba. I know it’s there, but I have never been, and I know that I'll never be able to go in my life. I cannot see my own country. It’s a prison that has a blue sky and nice cars, but it is still a prison.”
The Spanish YouTuber Juanjo Dalmau, from his channel Traveling with Dalmau, candidly depicted daily life on the island. In one of his videos, filmed in front of a Havana grocery store, he described how Cubans stand in long lines for basic food items that almost never arrive: “Imagine living in a country where your food depends on a ration book… that most of the time only hands out emptiness.”
Thus, the response of this Cuban in Italy is not an isolated case, but part of a growing chorus that denounces the daily precariousness on the island. A precariousness that many are no longer willing to remain silent about.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Crisis in Cuba and International Perception
What is the current situation in Cuba according to the testimonies of Cubans?
The situation in Cuba is described as precarious and critical by numerous Cubans, both inside and outside the island. Accounts highlight serious issues such as power outages, shortages of food and medicine, and a rise in crime driven by hunger and misery. These reports reflect a daily reality that starkly contrasts with the tourist image of the country.
Why do some tourists have a different perception of the situation in Cuba?
The perception of tourists can differ because many only experience the tourist areas that are better stocked and maintained. In these places, the availability of products and services is often more visible, which can create a misleading impression of the overall situation in the country. However, this image does not reflect the reality of most Cubans, who face significant shortages.
What impact does tourism have on the Cuban economy and society?
Tourism is an important source of income for Cuba, but the economic benefits often remain in the hands of the government and are not distributed equitably among the population. This has raised criticism about how tourism can perpetuate the current regime without improving the living conditions of the Cuban people, who continue to face a deep economic and social crisis.
How does the economic crisis affect Cubans in their daily lives?
The economic crisis in Cuba severely impacts the daily lives of citizens, who face shortages of basic products, constant blackouts, and inadequate services. Inflation has driven prices to levels that are unaffordable for most, and access to food and medicine is limited, worsening the vulnerable situation of the population.
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