The harsh reality of Cuba: "A doctor saves lives but needs his family abroad to send remittances."

A young Cuban has once again shaken up social media with a powerful reflection on the economic inequalities and distortions that define daily life in Cuba. In her video, posted on TikTok, the user @sarai.jun starkly describes how the devaluation of values has degraded the roles of those who study, work, or serve the country.

"Cuba, a country where university graduates are worthless and a 'jinetera' has more money than a doctor," he states at the beginning of his message. In his testimony, he highlights the consequences of an economy where qualified professionals live in precarious conditions while other sectors, such as tourism or private trade, concentrate privileges.

It criticizes, for example, that "a teacher who studied cannot even afford enough food for the entire month," and contrasts this situation with those who own private businesses: "Those who have a small to medium enterprise live like kings, while a lawyer lives like a miser."

Later, the young woman continues her diagnosis: “Cuba, a country where an engineer with years of study earns less than someone who rents a room to tourists,” and adds, “A country where a teacher molds entire generations but cannot afford to take their children out to eat.”

It also questions the treatment of retirees on the island: “A retiree who has dedicated their entire life to work receives a pension that is barely enough to buy a carton of eggs,” emphasizing the impossibility of progress: “An ordinary worker cannot afford the luxury of saving to start a simple business; instead, they live thinking about what they can eat tomorrow and cannot even dream of a decent future.”

In another part of the video, he speaks directly to the artists who made optimistic statements about the reality of the country: "So, ma'am, you are a recognized artist, show some respect. The head is not only there to hold hair but also to speak coherently." And he concludes: "Who are you fooling? Because it seems to me that it's not the Cuban people."

Her words have resonated with the feelings of many users inside and outside the island, who responded with messages of support and shared frustration. “Here, a dancer makes more than a doctor,” commented one user. Another summed up the collective sentiment: “This is the video that should go viral, but they don't care. And they fill their mouths saying homeland and life.” A third internet user pointed out: “The reality is that we, the intellectuals, earn the least because with hunger and need, there is no unity, and it’s even harder to think about how to change the situation.”

Other messages highlight the harshness of daily life: “Cuba is the country where you flee from the regime and a year and a day later you return, according to them, to enjoy yourself and have a good time.” “It’s a country where they tell you that the university is for revolutionaries, and if you think differently, you have no rights,” added another user. There were also those who declared: “Indeed, Cuba is a failed state.”

Some comments praised the clarity of the speech: “Wise and precise words,” wrote one follower, while another expressed, “Everything you said is so true that I run out of hands to applaud.” “Always with your insightful comments, always so dignified, always so Cuban,” commented another user. “Blessings, beautiful, as always speaking the truth,” said another. “I love your content and your way of speaking, very elegant and very direct,” noted another comment from Montreal. “I give you 100 out of 100,” summarized someone else.

The young woman also reports that in Cuba "a doctor saves lives but needs his family abroad to send remittances to buy a pair of shoes." She explains how this dependency is repeated among retirees, wage earners, and even parents, who are unable to take their children out to eat or to envision a future beyond day-to-day survival: "A regular wage earner cannot afford the luxury of saving to start a simple business; instead, he lives thinking about what he can eat tomorrow."

The post includes an excerpt from a recent interview with the channel La Familia Cubana, where actress Maikel Amelia claims that “Cuba is a safe country,” although she later clarifies that “it is no longer as safe as it used to be.” During the same conversation, Alejandro Cuervo commented that “we do collaborations, sometimes an agency pays for the ticket,” referring to the trips he takes. These statements were interpreted by the public as a disconnection from the reality of the average Cuban, which further fueled reactions to the video.

Among the highlighted comments, one internet user wrote: “University students study for an average of 17 to 18 years just to graduate (...), and we earn the least. With hunger and need, there is no unity, nor can we think about how to change the situation.” Another person stated: “Sad reality of the Cuban people,” while someone else succinctly summarized: “The harsh reality.”

In June, the same young woman sent a direct message to the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel following the prolonged blackouts on the island, questioning the regime's lack of empathy and warning about the consequences of continuing to ignore the people. On that occasion, she said: “You are sowing pain, and that comes with a price.”

His new video not only reflects frustration but also offers a social snapshot of a country where, in his words, “a retiree who dedicated their entire life to work receives a pension that is barely enough to buy a dozen eggs.”

Frequently Asked Questions about the Economic and Social Situation in Cuba