A new post on TikTok by the Spanish user @lauramendezde has gone viral as she lists what she considers "10 reasons not to travel to Cuba." In the video, recorded apparently during her visit to the island, she harshly criticizes the economic situation, state control, and lack of freedoms, claiming that any tourist expenditure in the country ultimately ends up "financing that disgusting Cuban dictatorship."
The reasons mentioned include that the country "is completely in ruins," the food control through the ration book, the scarcity of basic products like bread and milk, empty pharmacies, power outages, poor road conditions, lack of fuel, attempts to deceive tourists, the need to exchange money in the informal market, and censorship and indoctrination. The video ends with the phrase: "No matter how little money you spend in Cuba, it will always be used to finance that disgusting Cuban dictatorship."
The post has garnered thousands of "likes" and has sparked hundreds of comments, many from Cuban users both on and off the island who support the influencer's claims. "Thank you for showing the reality of my country," "Finally, someone is telling the truth," "You haven't exaggerated at all," and "A Spaniard understands it better than many Cubans" are some of the visible reactions on the platform.
There are also messages that criticize the video's approach and point out the impact it would have on Cubans who rely on tourism. "Many people in Cuba live off the little tourism that remains," commented a user, who argued that it is possible to support the people without benefiting the government by staying in private homes and hiring local services.
The current video is not the first to cause a stir. In May of this year, Laura Méndez published a reaction to the content of the Mexican YouTuber Luisito Comunica during his trip to Cuba. On that occasion, she criticized that his video offered an "idealized" view of the country, stating that "he has shown street food showcasing typical dishes, etc., but that is not real Cuba, the real Cuba that I lived and that millions of Cubans live every day is marked by control, scarcity, and pain." She also claimed: "He has eaten more food in a day than a Cuban does in an entire month."
Two years earlier, in 2022, the same user had already sparked controversy after visiting Cuba and publishing her impressions about the crisis in the country. At that time, she denied that her trip had been funded, stating, “I wasn't paid for any trip to tell the truth. Why would I be paid to speak about Cuba?” She also recounted an episode in which she was confronted by elderly individuals while filming a line to buy bread and indicated that after sharing critical videos, she was sought out at her hotel.
The figure of Laura Méndez continues to spark conversation on social media due to her denunciations about Cuba, which contrast with the more tourist-oriented or neutral perspectives presented by other content creators. While some accuse her of oversimplifying or stigmatizing, others applaud her for “saying what many keep silent.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Tourism in Cuba and the Socioeconomic Situation
Why is tourism in Cuba criticized?
Tourism in Cuba is criticized because it is believed that the generated income mainly benefits the government and not the Cuban people. Many influencers and activists argue that tourism money ends up in the hands of the regime, while the population faces shortages of food, medicine, and basic services. The Spanish influencer Laura Méndez has been one of the most vocal critics, arguing that visiting Cuba without denouncing its situation is supporting the dictatorship.
What has Laura Méndez said about her experience in Cuba?
Laura Méndez has been very critical about her experience in Cuba. She claims that the reality of the country is marked by scarcity, state control, and a lack of freedoms. In her videos, she denounces that tourism on the island helps finance the regime and does not improve the lives of Cubans. She has also criticized other content creators for presenting an idealized image of the island, diverging from the daily reality experienced by its inhabitants.
How does the economic and social situation affect tourists in Cuba?
The economic and social situation in Cuba can significantly affect the experience of tourists. Visitors may encounter issues such as power outages, shortages of basic products, and difficulties with currency exchange. Furthermore, some tourists have reported that conditions in the streets, such as the lack of signage and the deterioration of infrastructure, complicate transportation and mobility. These issues are a reflection of the crisis that impacts the daily lives of Cuban citizens.
What alternatives do tourists have to support the Cuban people without benefiting the government?
To support the Cuban people without benefiting the government, tourists can choose to stay in private homes and hire local services. This way, they can directly contribute to the economy of Cuban families. However, it is important to be aware of the restrictions and challenges that citizens on the island face, such as resource shortages and state controls, when planning a trip to Cuba.
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