A video posted on TikTok by user @zol.arias has gone viral after showing what a pregnant woman in Cuba receives with the so-called "tarjetón" granted by the government.
According to the young woman in the recording, the document allows the purchase of certain nursery items at a specific store, but the available offer is so limited that she was only able to take home one potty, six clothing hangers, and one soap dish.
What do they give to a pregnant woman in Cuba? They give her a card so she can go to a specific store and buy the items that are available. Items for a baby layette, like this, which was all that was available: a potty, six hangers, and a soap dish, because even the baby layette is rationed here,” the young woman says as she shows the products.
The video, at the time of this report, had surpassed 60 thousand reactions and received thousands of comments in just a few hours, reflecting both the outrage and disbelief of internet users.
Among the thousands of comments, a significant portion expressed strong criticisms of the decision to become a mother under the current conditions in the country. Phrases like “Who would think of giving birth in Cuba?”, “Another child to suffer from hunger,” and “It’s selfish to bring children into this world like this” were repeated time and again.
While a young woman summarizes the general sentiment with irony: “Exactly what I needed: a urinal, coat racks, and a soap dish,” others comment with restrained anger: “Even the baby basket is rationed... socialism spares not even the babies.”
Many also questioned the perceived priorities in the video’s imagery: “Are tattoos free over there?”, “They look well-groomed with nails, eyelashes, and nice clothes… but without food”, “There’s money for tattoos”, users commented, suggesting contradictions between the narrative of scarcity and the polished appearance of the protagonists.
The debate about aesthetics amidst the crisis is not new. Just a few days ago, a young Cuban mother from Matanzas, identified on TikTok as @briana_matancera, responded to the criticism that women on the island face for trying to put themselves together.
“Does this mean that because the country is falling apart, women also have to fall apart along with it?” questioned the young woman in a video where she defended the right of Cuban women to paint their nails, wear makeup, or shape their eyebrows as a form of self-esteem. Her testimony sparked a wide debate on social media among those who supported her and those who found it inconsistent to spend on aesthetics while denouncing hunger and hardship.
This episode regarding the conditions of pregnant women on the island is not isolated. In August 2024, a mother in Guantánamo received a symbolic gift basket for giving birth on Fidel Castro's birthday. The package, delivered by ETECSA workers, contained baby clothes and shoes. Although the delivery was celebrated by the official press, it highlighted how assistance for mothers can be politicized and restricted to "special" dates.
On the other hand, in July of the same year, pregnant women admitted to a hospital in Santiago de Cuba reported receiving food with worms. A young woman shared images of a tray containing rice, ground beef, and spoiled sweet potato, while another expectant mother described the hospital menu as “food for pigs.”
In contrast, Cubans outside the island have celebrated better conditions. Recently, a Cuban resident in Chile showcased on social media everything he received for free from the public health system following the birth of his daughter: from a crib and clothing to books and hygiene products, as part of the state program “Chile Crece Contigo.” The video provided a stark contrast to the misery of the Cuban system, reinforcing the debate on inequality and social rights.
This new viral video not only highlights the material shortages but also a deeper crisis: the loss of expectations and hopes for the new generations born in a country where raising a child involves disproportionate challenges.
Frequently asked questions about the situation of pregnant women in Cuba
What do pregnant women in Cuba receive through the "tarjetón"?
The "tarjetón" allows pregnant women to acquire basic baby basket products, but the selection is extremely limited. According to a viral video, a woman was only able to purchase a potty, six clothing hangers, and a soap dish, which highlights a significant shortage of essential supplies for baby care.
Why are baby baskets rationed in Cuba?
The rationing of baby supplies in Cuba is due to the economic crisis and the shortage of basic products, which limits the government's ability to provide more than a very small number of essential items for newborns. This issue is part of a broader pattern of institutional neglect and precariousness on the island.
How does the situation of pregnant women in Cuba compare to that in other countries?
In other countries, such as Chile, pregnant women and mothers receive more comprehensive support from the public health system, which includes everything from cribs and clothing to hygiene products. In Cuba, however, pregnant women face a severe shortage of resources, with baby baskets that barely contain the essentials.
What criticisms does the Cuban government face regarding the care of pregnant women?
The Cuban government is criticized for not adequately prioritizing pregnant women, offering only basic product modules that are insufficient for the needs of a newborn. This policy reflects a lack of structural support for mothers, who struggle with food shortages and basic products in the context of a sustained economic crisis.
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