The Argentine influencer Melina Moriatis (@melimoriatisfit) has ignited social media once again with a new video posted on TikTok, where she highlights the contrast between the tourist image of Cuba that is sold and the reality faced by its citizens.
In the 21-second recording, the content creator starts by showcasing the iconic scenery typically promoted to visitors: classic cars in Old Havana, the Malecón, the Plaza de la Revolución, and the idyllic beaches. The video is accompanied by the text: "Cuba Expectation vs Reality" and the description: "What they don't want tourists to see."
Then, the clip dramatically changes and reveals another side of the island: streets filled with potholes and puddles, crumbling facades, piles of garbage, people sleeping on the sidewalks and begging, as well as a clear situation of poverty in the central areas of the Cuban capital.
Cuba: What They Sell to Tourists, reads the first part of the video, while the second part shows the phrase "The Reality of Cuba", accompanied by striking images of urban decay.
The post has sparked a flood of divided opinions. Some users defended the common practice of showcasing the best of each country to visitors, while others criticized the Cuban government for the deep economic and social crisis.
Comments were polarized between those who blame the U.S. embargo and those who hold the prevailing political system in the island responsible. "It's called dictatorship," "It's pure communism," and "It's not the blockade, it's the government," were some of the most repeated phrases in the debate.
This is not the first critical content about Cuba shared by Melina Moriatis. In September 2024, she published images of the destruction and accumulation of trash in Havana, where she depicted the unsanitary conditions in iconic locations such as Compostela Street, in front of the Museum of Habanero Pharmacy.
Days before, she reported the precariousness of the healthcare system on the island after experiencing difficulties in obtaining basic medications, such as she recounted in a viral video where she stated: “There was no paracetamol or ibuprofen. Nothing at all”.
In other posts, the influencer also showcased the conditions of a gym in Havana and revealed what can be purchased with a Cuban doctor's salary in stores that accept foreign currency.
A tourism in crisis
The new video of the Argentine stay on the island arrives at a time when Cuban tourism is experiencing its worst phase in decades. According to official data, the arrival of international visitors fell by 25% in the first half of 2025, with significant declines in the Russian and Canadian markets. Hotel occupancy plummeted to 24.1%, and revenue dropped by more than 21% compared to the previous year.
Despite the crisis, the government insists on promoting tourism as the "engine of the economy," while issues such as a lack of infrastructure, high prices in foreign currency, and widespread deterioration in cities continue to persist—factors that influencers and tourists like Moriatis consistently highlight on their social media.
The series of videos by the Argentine journalist continues to spark debate and reveals the gap between the Cuba that is promoted in postcards and the reality that its citizens experience daily.
Frequently asked questions about the current situation in Cuba and tourism
What does the video by Argentine influencer Melina Moriatis about Cuba show?
The video by Melina Moriatis highlights the contrast between the tourist image of Cuba and the reality faced by its citizens. It showcases iconic scenes that are often promoted to tourists alongside images of poverty, urban decay, and homeless individuals. This has sparked a debate on social media, with some blaming the Cuban government and others pointing to the American embargo.
Why is there a decline in tourism in Cuba?
Tourism in Cuba has fallen by 25% in 2025 due to several factors, including the deterioration of infrastructure, the economic and social crisis, and the negative international perception, exacerbated by testimonies from influencers and tourists who have revealed the reality behind the tourist postcards.
How does the Cuban regime affect tourism income?
According to reviews from influencers and testimonials from exiles, tourism revenue in Cuba mainly ends up in the hands of the government, without benefiting the local population. The regime invests more in the tourism sector than in basic needs such as agriculture, perpetuating the island’s inequality and economic crisis.
What is the perception of tourists regarding the crisis in Cuba?
Many tourists, like Carolina Márquez and other foreign visitors, have been struck by the poverty and decay in Cuba, sharing their experiences on social media to highlight the reality faced by Cubans, in contrast to the luxury tourist areas they visit.
What do influencers say about the situation in Cuba?
Influencers like Eileen Morales and Laura Méndez openly criticize the Cuban regime, denouncing that tourism does not improve the situation of the people and that the revenues strengthen the government. Their testimonies reinforce the international perception of a humanitarian crisis on the island.
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