The Holguin YouTuber Katy, creator of the Aprendedora channel, shared a video in which she lists the “things of the rich in Cuba,” a list that reveals the harsh economic and social reality facing the country in 2025.
The young influencer decided to make the video after receiving criticism from a follower for showcasing a breakfast of bread with an omelet and coffee in one of her posts, something that—although basic in many countries—has become a true luxury in Cuba.
“A user told me that I was bragging about food, and that made me think about everything that is considered a luxury in our country today,” Katy explained, stating that her intention was to show her daily life “without filters or pretenses.”
In her video, the content creator listed several examples of what she considers "rich people's things" on the island:
- The basic diet. Daily access to products such as milk, eggs, bread, and coffee is nearly impossible for most Cuban families. Scarcity, high prices, and constant inflation have turned these foods into luxury items.
- A well-paid job. According to Katy, salaries in Cuba are insufficient to meet the most basic needs. Professionals, in particular, are among the lowest paid, while state jobs barely provide enough to survive.
- Having a generator at home. Amid the severe energy crisis afflicting the island, where power outages of up to 20 hours a day are reported, having a generator is synonymous with economic status. “It’s a luxury that everyone would like to have, but it costs a lot of money,” commented the YouTuber.
- Enjoy a stable Internet connection. Katy recalled that access to the Internet in Cuba remains a privilege controlled by the State. To obtain the Nauta Hogar service, individuals must sign up on long waiting lists that can take years. “Even when you have the service, the connection is slow and expensive,” she added.
- Having dollars or some foreign currency. In a country where salaries are paid in Cuban pesos but most essential products are sold in foreign currency, having dollars or euros is, quite literally, "a blessing." "Not everyone in Cuba receives remittances, and very few can save up to buy dollars," lamented the young woman from Holguín.
The video from Aprendedora has sparked a strong debate on social media, where many Cubans agree that Katy's list reflects the reality of a country where surviving with dignity has become a privilege.
“They're not things for the rich, they are things that used to be normal,” wrote a user. “It's sad that a coffee with bread has become a luxury,” commented another.
Meanwhile, the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel continues to fail to provide effective solutions to the inflation, blackouts, and shortages that are suffocating the population, while thousands of Cubans dream of what used to be ordinary: having breakfast without the fear of not having anything to eat tomorrow.
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