A young Cuban known on TikTok as @elcubanitosinfiltro shared an emotional video in which he celebrates the purchase of his first pair of "expensive" shoes while living in Cuba, a reality that many on the island cannot afford due to the exorbitant prices and the deep economic crisis the country is experiencing.
"I bought my first expensive shoes while living in Cuba. I bought these three months ago and look, they're already torn because they're made of poor material," explained the content creator while showing his worn-out old sneakers.
The young man shared that, thanks to the support of his followers and the opportunities he has had through his work on TikTok, he was able to buy himself a new pair of shoes for 27,000 Cuban pesos, the equivalent of about 66 US dollars, as well as four pairs of socks for around 4,000 pesos. In total, he spent close to 75 dollars, an amount that is out of reach for most Cubans.
"I know many will say that 66 dollars is nothing, but for us Cubans it is too much," the influencer stated, emphasizing that the average salary in Cuba does not exceed 4,000 or 5,000 pesos per month, making it impossible to access basic or quality products.
The creator also reflected on families living in more precarious conditions:
“Thank God I can buy this thanks to TikTok, but what about those mothers with three or four children who have to buy shoes for school, for outings, backpacks, and on top of that, food which is really expensive? I truly try to put myself in someone else's shoes, and it must be very tough.”
His testimony has generated numerous comments on social media, where many users agree that the cost of living in Cuba is unsustainable and that items as simple as a pair of shoes or some socks have become luxuries.
The TikToker's post starkly reflects the reality of millions of Cubans who are surviving amid inflation, low wages, and shortages of basic goods, a situation that the regime has been unable to resolve despite ongoing promises of "economic modernization."
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