Blanck Mango Podcast has shaken social media by showing, without filters, the daily struggles faced by the Cuban people. In new videos shared this week on TikTok (@blackmangopodcast) and Instagram, footage from their recent visit to Havana is interspersed with testimonies from citizens who candidly express their desperation on camera.
“They have no electricity, no water, they have absolutely nothing,” says one of the youtubers in one of the segments of his report on the island, where several people share their experiences: a woman who cannot walk and has no wheelchair; another who shows how she uses a small jar to wash; a man who eats what he finds in the dumpsters. Another, broken, makes a plea in tears: “I’m tired... please, help me.”
The scenes filmed on the island show deteriorated homes, people sleeping in terrible conditions, the hardships of daily life, hunger, and misery.
"I don't walk, I don't have a wheelchair... I could die here," says a woman from her home. "There is no electricity, no water, absolutely nothing," explains one of the YouTubers. And when they ask if they can express themselves freely, another woman replies: "That girl over there was imprisoned. There is no freedom of speech."
"Thank you for revealing the truth that many keep silent."
On social media, their new posts have sparked a wave of reactions, many coming from within the island. “Only we who live here know what Cuba is like,” wrote one user. Others commented, “Thank you for showing the true Cuba... a very dark side of the coin”; “It hurts to see this. That is my land, those are my people. We are tired,” or “There is nothing left of the most beautiful island human eyes have ever seen.”
Public figures also reacted. Actress Judith González remarked, "Our island is a prison," while singer Yulién Oviedo accompanied the post with crying emojis and the Cuban flag.
Among the hundreds of highlighted comments, one reads: “Cuba is a prison of social experimentation under communism,” “Thank you for showing the world what many refuse to see,” and “Thank you so much, you do much more than the government just by showing how the people live.”
Hundreds more expressed support, pain, and gratitude. "Thank you for being brave and showing the reality of the Cuban people," wrote one user. "My homeland is falling apart and my mother is there alone," posted another. "Cuba hurts us deeply, buddy," wrote a young man, while another woman remarked, "Only those of us who live here know what Cuba is really like."
"Guys, I've been following you from the beginning; I don't miss a single episode. Thank you for addressing this topic with such respect. I’m lucky to live in Spain, but my family is still there. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing us closer to this reality," said a follower of the channel. Another Cuban commented: "Thank you so much; you do more than the government just by showing how the people live."
Messages were also read such as: “Thank you for showing the world the side that doesn't appear in magazines or photos of the Malecón,” and “Nothing is left of the most beautiful island that human eyes have ever seen.” Some, from within Cuba, made it clear: “We are tired. This is not living.”
The fragments are part of a broader report that Blanck Mango has published on YouTube about his visit to Cuba. In the full video, which garnered over 90,000 views in less than 24 hours, they share scenes of hunger, repression, and extreme poverty in neighborhoods like San Isidro in Havana, depicting homes where six people survive on just two pounds of rice a month, an elderly woman without medication, and a young woman who was imprisoned after the protests on 11J.
“Behind the paradise beaches, classic cars, and forced smiles… there is a country that suffers in silence. We walked through its streets, spoke with its people, saw hospitals in a state of neglect, shelves without food, and eyes filled with broken hope. This is not propaganda. This is humanity. This is Cuba,” they wrote on their channel while sharing the heartbreaking report, a stark depiction of present-day Cuba.
They also added: “Thank you to all the Cubans who allowed us to record and share their stories. This is for them.” Their words reinforced the impact of the content, which has already garnered thousands of comments in just a few hours.
With this new material, their message has reached even further. What the youtubers recorded and shared has created a deep resonance: the pain of thousands has found a window through which to become visible.
Frequently Asked Questions about Reality in Cuba according to Black Mango Podcast
What is the current situation in Cuba according to Black Mango Podcast?
The situation in Cuba is one of extreme precariousness, lack of freedom, and scarcity of basic resources, such as water, electricity, and food. YouTubers documented deplorable living conditions, with people living in decay and fear, in a kind of "prison with a blue sky and nice cars."
How has the public reacted to the videos of Black Mango Podcast about Cuba?
Social media has erupted with reactions of support, sorrow, and gratitude towards the YouTubers for revealing a reality that many cannot express openly. The videos have generated a deep resonance and appreciation for showcasing the Cuban reality, receiving thousands of comments from Cubans both on and off the island.
What kind of reprisals did the YouTubers face during their visit to Cuba?
Black Mango Podcast was interrogated by Cuban State Security due to the publication of content that reveals the reality of the country. Although they were not detained, they experienced surveillance and harassment, highlighting the regime's control over freedom of expression.
Why is Black Mango Podcast's testimony about Cuba important?
The testimony of Black Mango Podcast is crucial because it highlights a reality that the Cuban government tries to conceal. By showcasing life beyond the tourist circuits, they reveal the conditions of misery and repression that Cubans endure, providing an honest and uncensored perspective to the world.
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