In light of the growing rumors of shortages on the Island, many Cubans have started to take precautions with the few basic products they manage to acquire. This is illustrated by a video shared on TikTok by the user @lia.en.las.redes, where she explains how she organizes and stores hygiene products in her home.
"I live in Cuba, and today I'm going to show you something simple, something many Cubans have been doing lately," the young woman begins as she organizes her bathroom. In the video, she showcases toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, and detergent that she recently managed to buy.
"It's not a cause for alarm, by any means, but there's already talk about shortages, and we all know that when that happens, the little that remains tends to increase in price," she states. The Cuban woman explains that, within her means, she tries to stay ahead and manage her resources better in light of the economic uncertainty.
The fear is not unfounded. In Cuba, whenever there is a decrease in the availability of basic goods, prices in the informal market quickly skyrocket, further straining the budgets of families, whose incomes in Cuban pesos (CUP) continue to lose purchasing power against the US dollar (USD).
Beyond the domestic organization, the young woman wanted to convey a message of calm and hope: “Let’s try to stay calm within our means. I know it’s not easy, but I have faith that everything will pass. I truly believe that this country will find the direction it deserves so that we can all smile again like we used to.”
The testimony reflects a practice that is becoming increasingly common among Cuban households: buying and storing essentials when they become available in the markets, in light of the constant instability of state supplies and price volatility.
For many, it's not about hoarding, but rather about foresight. The experience of years marked by blackouts, inflation, and shortages has turned household organization into a daily strategy to cope with uncertainty.
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