A video posted by the Cuban user @briana_matancera has gone viral on TikTok after showcasing what she calls "the true Cuban breakfast": bread with oil, salt, and water with sugar, also popularly known as milordo. The scene, filmed from her kitchen in Matanzas, has sparked thousands of reactions and brought attention to the issue of food insecurity on the island.
"If you're Cuban and you've never done this, you've failed as a Cuban," says the young woman while preparing breakfast. "My dear, what Cuban hasn't tried this?" she adds, emphasizing that for some it remains a tradition—and in many other cases, a necessity.
The video, which has already surpassed 11,000 "likes" and garnered over 1,300 comments in just one day, reflects a mix of shock, empathy, and surprise among users. For some, it represents a symbol of resilience, while for others, it serves as a painful reminder of the crisis facing the country.
The responses to the video showcase a range of emotions and opinions. From sarcasm and mockery to support and understanding, users debated what this type of breakfast means.
“Oil with bread and water with sugar? That’s a privilege in Cuba,” commented a follower. Others pointed out, “That’s what there is, not what is desired,” while some criticized the offering, calling it “marginal breakfast” or “liquid diabetes.”
There were no shortage of judgments regarding the influencer's aesthetics. "What about the nails?" several questioned, wondering how someone who claims to eat bread with oil for breakfast can have such impeccable manicures. To which the creator replied, "Here, many of us do it for pleasure, not out of necessity."
There were also critical comments about the Cuban government: “That’s the breakfast Fidel left, but he never ate it,” said one user. Others were more emphatic: “Communism’s breakfast,” “This isn’t a breakfast, it’s survival.”
A reflection of the structural crisis
The video by @briana_matancera adds to a growing series of testimonials and posts that reveal the food insecurity on the island. A few weeks ago, another young Cuban, @kary_y_jony, shared a video where she reflected: “In Cuba, having coffee for breakfast is more than a luxury”, criticizing the aspirational narrative of many creators on social media and calling for greater empathy and honesty about the everyday reality of Cubans.
The creator Michel Crónicas, based in Mexico, sparked debate by comparing his usual breakfast in that country—eggs, bread, fruits, coffee—with what he considers "an unattainable luxury" for millions in Cuba. “Eggs in Cuba? Extremely expensive and not even available,” he noted in a viral testimony.
These contents are accompanied by a documented context of food emergency. According to the report “There is Hunger in Cuba (2024),” published by the Food Monitor Program, 25% of the population has gone to bed without dinner in recent months, and 72% of households have had to adopt unhealthy diets. 29% only manage two meals a day, and 4% barely have one meal.
Moreover, 71% of households report power outages during cooking times, and 60% lack access to drinking water, further limiting the ability to prepare or preserve food.
Tradition or scarcity
Although for some Cubans, bread with oil and milordo are part of a culinary tradition linked to childhood or shared moments, for others, they represent the starkest expression of need. Among the comments, there are those who claim to continue consuming it outside of Cuba, whether out of nostalgia or preference. However, most agree that this type of breakfast reveals more deficiencies than habits.
The publication by @briana_matancera, although simple in appearance, has reignited the debate about what breakfast means today in Cuba, in a context marked by inflation, shortages, and a structural crisis exacerbated by poor management and a lack of political will.
Beyond the viral content, the video raises an open question: when will it cease to be a privilege to have a dignified breakfast in Cuba?
Frequently Asked Questions about Food Shortages in Cuba
What does the breakfast of "bread with oil and water with sugar" represent in Cuba?
The breakfast of "bread with oil and water with sugar," popularly known as milordo, is a reflection of the food insecurity that affects many Cubans. This type of breakfast symbolizes both a tradition and a necessity due to the economic crisis on the island, where access to basic food items is limited.
How does the food crisis affect everyday life in Cuba?
The food crisis in Cuba profoundly impacts daily life, forcing many families to adopt unhealthy diets and consume only one or two meals a day. 25% of the population has had to go to bed without dinner in recent months, and 72% of households struggle with inadequate diets due to shortages and inflation.
Why is it difficult for Cubans to access basic food items like coffee and eggs?
In Cuba, the scarcity of basic foods such as coffee and eggs is due to a combination of factors, including issues in agricultural production and distribution, as well as the impact of the U.S. embargo. Coffee is regarded as a luxury due to the structural crisis affecting the production chain, and eggs are expensive and hard to find.
How have Cubans reacted on social media to the food situation on the island?
The food situation in Cuba has sparked a variety of reactions on social media, ranging from empathy to outrage. Many Cubans use social networks to showcase their daily reality and highlight the decline in quality of life, generating debates about inequality and representation on the island.
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