A young Cuban, identified on TikTok as @emprendedesdecuba, shared a new testimony recorded on the streets of Havana that shows, from a first-person perspective, the hardships of living in the capital of the country.
"I live in Cuba and I went to Havana, you know, to buy myself a couple of sleeping pills," he says at the beginning of the video. The images reveal deteriorated doorways, puddles of black water, crumbling walls, accumulated trash, and people selling food products on the street.
“If Eusebio Leal sees this, girl, he will leave again… look at this, sir, the Cuban killed the Cuban,” he continues. As he walks, he points out the lack of gas in households and the sale of low-quality electric stoves: “You know that gas is scarce and extremely expensive, so they sell those little stoves that last two days for a stack of pesos, and one person is taking advantage of the other.”
It also raises the question: "And what about those who can’t? What do they cook with? Firewood?" Later, it comments: "We are killing each other, girl. Look over there at the prices, man. Seeing the children asking for money, that traumatized me, I had never seen that here so much before."
“They are building another hotel to take money from all the yumas, just to fill their bellies, because the local people here don’t see a single peso,” he says at another moment.
Throughout the journey, the young woman points out sections of streets with stagnant water: “How can there not be dengue, my dear? It's not dengue, it's chikungunya, gorongonga, and purongonga... there are diseases that we don't even know what they are.”
"We are living as if we are frozen in time, as if Armageddon has arrived. My God, have mercy on Cuba, for God's sake, how much longer will this last," he concludes.
The post generated dozens of comments from people who shared similar emotions: sadness, concern, support, or resignation. Among the most common responses were phrases like "Havana is falling apart," "It's my neighborhood, my city, how sad," or "How sad to see how our country has been destroyed."
This video is a continuation of a previous testimony from the same user, who revealed how much she had to pay for pork and a small gas cylinder in the Bahía neighborhood east of Havana. There she recounted paying 23,000 pesos for a small amount of pork and 9,000 pesos for gas, while walking among accumulated trash and a lack of hygiene. "Here, we don't live; we survive," she expressed at the time.
The scenes align with recent data from the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, Armando Rodríguez Batista, who acknowledged that “litter is scattered all over Havana” and characterized the issue as a “health, environmental, social, and spiritual risk.”
This is compounded by the rise in arboviral diseases. In Matanzas, the presence of dengue and chikungunya has been confirmed in at least six municipalities, with control measures limited due to a lack of resources. Additionally, several patients have been admitted to intensive care for complications from dengue in various provinces across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Current Situation in Cuba
What are the living conditions in Havana according to recent testimonies?
Recent testimonials from Cubans on social media describe a situation of extreme precariousness and deterioration in Havana. Reports indicate streets with sewage, accumulated garbage, unattainable food prices, and a general lack of basic resources such as gas and electricity. These conditions have been deemed inhumane and have raised concerns both within and outside of Cuba.
What health problems are being reported in Cuba due to unsanitary conditions?
Due to unsanitary conditions, an increase in diseases such as dengue and chikungunya is being reported. The accumulation of stagnant water and the lack of waste management have been identified as the main causes of this surge in mosquito-borne diseases. These conditions pose a serious health risk to the Cuban population.
How does the economic crisis affect food in Cuba?
The economic crisis has led to basic products such as pork being considered an unattainable luxury for many Cuban families. The price of meat has increased significantly, and domestic production has fallen drastically. This has pushed the population to seek alternatives, but scarcity and high prices continue to be daily challenges for most Cubans.
What role does the Cuban government play in the current situation of the country?
The Cuban government is criticized for its lack of an effective response to the economic and social crisis facing the country. It is accused of failing to provide effective solutions to improve living conditions and of maintaining social control through measures such as scheduled blackouts. The lack of concrete actions and the perception of neglect have generated widespread discontent among the population.
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