“Cuba needs a change.” With that simple and strong phrase, the young Cuban Shiorocio Sanz begins the video she posted on Facebook, which has resonated strongly among Cubans both on the island and abroad.
Before speaking, Sanz clarifies the reason for her message: she does so under the authority of the Cuban Constitution itself. In the video description, she wrote: "Video supported by Article 54 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba: 'The State recognizes, respects, and guarantees to individuals the freedom of thought, conscience, and expression.'"
"My goal with this video is simply to express my reasons peacefully for why I am calling for change in my country," he begins, in a measured but firm tone.
The first reason she mentions is food. “In Cuba, Cubans have to find a way to be able to eat at least once a day,” she explains. “A carton of eggs costs three thousand pesos, a price that exceeds the pensions of many elderly people.” The supply booklet, she says, “no longer provides enough to rely on,” and that’s why people have to “buy everything at exorbitant prices on the street.” “What do we eat, resistance or sovereignty?” she asks.
Then he stops to talk about the blackouts. "Blackouts lasting more than twenty-four or forty-eight hours, then it's time to buy charcoal like in the times of Tutankhamun, just to cook the little food we can find, because not everyone has gas from the street." With irony, he adds, "What lights us up at night, sovereignty?"
It also talks about water: “In my house, it hasn't come for two months; the water in the provinces is in poor condition. What do we drink, resistance? How do we bathe, with sovereignty?”
It addresses public health, a topic that for decades has been portrayed as a hallmark of the system: “Healthcare in Cuba is free, yes, it is free, but what good is that gratitude if there is nothing in the hospitals to provide proper service to the population?” It mentions the lack of medications and the unsanitary conditions of the streets “flooded with garbage, bringing thousands of diseases.”
The video ends with serenity and faith: “For this and many more reasons that cannot fit in a single video, I ask for a change for my country, because Cuba needs a change. God bless you.”
The message unleashed a torrent of reactions that reflect, more than controversy, a feeling of exasperation and agreement with its assessment. "God bless you and keep you from evil. I admire your courage and hope that more young people join the networks to call for the change that Cuba needs," wrote one user. Another noted, "Sovereignty? It's an old story because we have been utterly dependent on the USSR, CAME, China, and ultimately leaning on Venezuela for support. Resistance? Isn't 67 years of the population enduring your incompetence enough?"
The comments multiplied with a tone of respect and support. "Speaking out for a country that is falling apart takes courage," said one person. Another added, "Thank you for expressing what many keep silent." There were also calls for faith and unity: "Amen" and "God bless you for your bravery."
Some highlighted the responsibility of Cuban youth. "We need more young people to join the cause. Freedom for Cuba," wrote one user. Another summed up the general sentiment: "We need many more people like her. We know that 90% of the population thinks like she does, but not everyone dares to say it out of fear of government repression."
Among the messages, one expressed the accumulated fatigue of an entire generation: “The people are dying from resistance and sovereignty... and want to live in freedom.”
Beyond the exchange, the video became a reflection of the moment the country is experiencing: an increasing call for change expressed with calm, faith, and conviction. Shiorocio Sanz did not use slogans or political speeches; she simply described her reality and that of millions of Cubans who fight every day to survive.
"For this and many more reasons, I ask for a change for my country," he repeats at the end of the video. That phrase, echoed by hundreds of voices in the comments, encapsulates a shared sentiment: that of a weary people who, despite everything, continue to demand a different future.
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