The video of a Spanish creator who spent 15 days in Cuba has sparked a strong wave of reactions on TikTok, where users from different countries are questioning the official discourse of the Cuban regime and, in particular, the use of "the blockade" as the central explanation for the crisis on the island.
The story of the blockade is already very worn out, wrote one of the many users who reacted to the testimony published by @_sotorene, a young Spaniard who describes himself as "leftist" and who accompanied an NGO in rehabilitation tasks for foster homes for children during his stay.
I have spent 15 days in Cuba, and as a Spaniard and a leftist, I am going to give you my sincere opinion, begins the video that has gone viral on social media, where he describes his experience in cities such as Santiago, Bayamo, Camagüey, Trinidad, and Havana.
During the trip, the creator recounts having lived with scarcity, power outages, and water shortages, as well as having spoken with authorities and citizens. “People do not live, they survive, as the average salary does not provide for a decent standard of living,” they assert in one of the video segments.
I saw a lot of poverty and a lot of need, he states in the video that has surpassed 10,000 likes, while describing a scene where "people were asking you and chasing you down the streets trying to get you to give them anything". He also points out that there is a disconnection between the youth and the official history: "Many young people are disconnected from the Cuban revolution and want change".
About the current political system in Cuba, it is stated: “It is a system that violates rights and freedoms, dominated by a single party, which prevents true political opposition.” And it adds: “For me, the socialism of the future must embrace democracy, political pluralism, and freedom.”
In her testimony, @_sotorene also mentions the U.S. embargo: “Cuba has been suffering from the U.S. economic blockade for decades, which significantly impacts Cuba's economy,” but she qualifies this statement by highlighting the presence of a “rampant and wild capitalism in the streets,” where Cuban pesos, euros, and dollars circulate.
"I have seen extreme poverty, extreme misery", she claims, after showcasing contrasts between tourist areas and marginalized neighborhoods. "Neither water nor electricity in the first days in Santiago," she recounts, referring to her initial days on the island.
In one of the most shared passages, it states: “The Cuban revolution is now a myth following the fall of the Soviet Union.” The phrase has been echoed in comments from users who agree that the current situation in Cuba is due to the economic model imposed by the Communist Party, aside from external sanctions.
The reactions on social media were swift and reflect the critical tone that dominates the debates surrounding the Cuban situation. “It’s not the blockade, it’s communism,” wrote one user. Another added: “Cuban socialism only serves to enrich a few while the people go hungry.”
Many comments expressed gratitude for the testimony. “Thank you for telling the truth, even if you are leftist. It’s about time to open our eyes,” said one. Another pointed out: “This is what we Cubans have been saying for years, but when a foreigner says it, it goes viral.”
Some focused on dismantling the argument of the embargo: “Is there still anyone who believes it's the embargo's fault?” or “Cuba is not blocked, it is held hostage by the Communist Party.” There were also those who highlighted how quickly the crisis is perceived: “You don't need 15 days to realize that this isn't working; just 15 minutes is enough.”
The contrast between the official narrative and reality was also mentioned: “The more videos like this come out, the less they will be able to keep lying,” wrote a user. Another commented: “The government has money for hotels and tourism, but not for the people.” Several highlighted the human drama behind the story: “What hurts the most is seeing children asking for food on the street.”
This is not propaganda. This is humanity, wrote one of the most shared users. The Cuban system is the real blockade, summarized another, while one more stated: It’s not the embargo, it’s the dictatorship disguised as revolution.
This testimony adds to other recent videos from foreigners who have reported on the situation on the island from a critical perspective. In March, the Spanish @juditgm96 faced harsh criticism after discussing the "blockade", and in July, the Argentine @melimoriatisfit highlighted the contrast between tourist Cuba and the reality in the streets.
There are also posts circulating on TikTok from @topeadosdeviaje, who reported the collapse of transportation and the widespread precariousness; as well as @adventureelliotofficial, who documented the rationing system and food scarcity.
And although each one from their own perspective, they all agree in showcasing an island where dignity endures amidst blackouts, food shortages, and the absence of freedom.
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