A Cuban creator went viral on TikTok after claiming that there is food on the island, but salaries are not enough to buy it. The user @yaneisycanta_98 stated that "there is food in Cuba, but there is no money" and explained that "the salary is not enough even if you sacrifice an entire month; just the price of pork is 850 Cuban pesos, which is almost half of a minimum wage."
The young woman insisted that the problem mainly affects those who depend on the state sector: “The salary of a person working for the State is so little that if you buy a pair of shoes or some clothes, it won't be enough to cover your food for the month. And I mention those who work for the State because those who work in private small and medium-sized enterprises or other jobs can manage, at least to sustain themselves a little better.”
Despite the precariousness, he highlighted the everyday resilience of Cubans: “I haven't seen people push forward like Cubans do, who scrape by, who hustle, who work—not for many luxuries, but to have their food, their sustenance, to provide a better life for their children,” he said before inviting opinions: “Tell me if you identify with this video and if what I’m talking about is reality.”
The video, which has sparked hundreds of comments, ignited an intense debate. Some agree with its message, while others contradict it, claiming that the issue is the lack of products. "In Cuba, there is indeed money... but it's in the hands of the government and their families, of criminals and the corrupt; only the worker and the one who sacrifices doesn’t have any," wrote a user. Others asked how it is possible to have shortages when motorcycles and cars can be seen on the streets, while several called for radical changes: "Why don’t all Cubans rise up and overthrow the government?"
A deeper crisis in Cuba: prices, blackouts, and wages that don't suffice
The testimony of @yaneisycanta_98 reflects a widely documented reality. According to a survey by the Cuban Citizens' Audit Observatory (OCAC), a Cuban needs at least 30,000 pesos a month to afford a basic diet, while the minimum wage is 2,100 CUP and the minimum pension does not exceed 3,056 CUP. The math doesn’t add up: with these incomes, buying food becomes an odyssey.
In social media, there are numerous testimonies confirming the discrepancy. A creator revealed that she spent “the salary of four months” on a basic purchase of over 10,000 CUP, not including meat. Others outline the chain of problems: blackouts lasting over 16 hours that spoil the few food items they manage to obtain. “No one cares about the sacrifice it takes to put a plate of food on the table,” lamented a young man after showing how a package of sausages spoiled due to a lack of electricity.
@yaneisycanta_98 herself showcased in another video what she was able to buy with the minimum pension: “I could only buy a small bag of noodles and a bottle of oil. That's it, gentlemen, nothing more. Cubans really do go hungry and are in need.” In contrast, she mentioned that a family day at a hotel in Las Tunas cost her 12,500 pesos, a figure she described as “something extravagant” for the majority of Cubans.
These accounts add to other viral stories, such as that of Sheyla Reyes, who explained that “the food is not what you want to eat but rather what is available”, as she described the combination of scarcity, power outages, and inflation that marks daily life. Buying rice may mean not finding oil and, when everything is finally available, “there is no power to cook.”
More than an opinion, a portrait of the country
The creator's phrase —“people go out to scratch for a plate of food”— has resonated because it encapsulates the daily uncertainty. When asked, “what are you going to cook today?”, many Cubans have no answer. And although there are stalls displaying fruits or meat, most cannot afford them. Meanwhile, the rationing system continues to deteriorate: since May 2024, eggs have not been distributed through the ration book, and the prices in the informal market exceed any average income.
In a country where a dozen eggs costs more than the minimum pension, the statement by @yaneisycanta_98 does not sound exaggerated: “Cubans live with the uncertainty of not knowing what they will eat.”
Frequently Asked Questions about the Economic and Food Crisis in Cuba
Why is there a shortage of food in Cuba if some claim there is food available?
In Cuba, there are indeed food items, but salaries are not enough to buy them. User @yaneisycanta_98 points out that the issue lies in low wages, especially in the state sector, which prevents many families from being able to purchase what they need to eat. Additionally, high inflation and shortages in stores further complicate access to basic products.
What is the minimum wage in Cuba and what can a person afford with it?
The minimum salary in Cuba is approximately 2,100 CUP. According to testimonies, this income is insufficient to cover a basic diet or even a week's worth of food. For instance, just the cost of pork is nearly half of this salary. The situation is more dire for retirees, whose minimum pension does not exceed 3,056 CUP, forcing many to turn to the informal market or rely on remittances from abroad.
How does the partial dollarization of the markets affect Cubans?
The partial dollarization of markets in Cuba deepens economic inequality. Stores that operate in dollars have increased, but they are only accessible to those who receive remittances or have access to foreign currency. This leaves a large portion of the population, who receive their salaries in Cuban pesos, unable to purchase basic goods, which heightens the feeling of injustice and economic segmentation.
What is the situation with power outages and how do they impact daily life in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba are frequent and can last more than 16 hours. This situation impacts food preservation, as the lack of electricity causes perishability. Furthermore, power outages complicate daily tasks, such as cooking or doing household chores, and force many to seek alternative solutions like cooking with charcoal stoves.
Filed under:
