A video posted on TikTok has sparked thousands of reactions among Cubans both on and off the island due to the tender—and at the same time, worried—response of a 96-year-old grandmother when her granddaughter tells her that she is going to work in "Monte y Cienfuegos," one of the most controversial corners of Havana.
The video shared by user Rachel Meybol shows the moment when the young woman mentions that she needs to find money and will start working at that well-known intersection in Centro Habana, historically associated with prostitution and other informal activities.
"And are you going to work there?" the elderly woman asks, alarmed. The granddaughter insists, "We need to find money, we need to find money."
The grandmother, visibly distressed, responds firmly, "You don’t need to get involved in those places to work… I can support you. I have my pension."
In the exchange, the older woman makes it clear that, although her pension is modest, she prefers to share it rather than see her granddaughter expose herself in an environment she considers dangerous. “I have to give this to you,” she insists, reminding her that she doesn’t need to take risks. She also warns her, “You better sleep on this, girl, because this is bad.”
Monte and Cienfuegos have been well-known spots in Havana for years due to the presence of jineteras and activities related to informal trade and prostitution. Although Cuba's social reality has changed over time, the area retains a strong symbolic significance associated with economic precariousness and survival amid the crisis.
The video has generated a wave of comments on social media. Many users highlight the tenderness and love of the grandmother, while others point out that the conversation reflects the difficult economic conditions faced by numerous Cuban families, where even young people feel the pressure to "find money" in any circumstance.
At the end of the clip, the young woman humorously clarifies that she won't be working there and jokes, "I'm not going to work; my grandma is going to support me," eliciting laughter from her followers.
Beyond the family anecdote, the video brings to light a persistent reality in Cuba: the economic need that drives many to consider risky options for their survival, while the elderly, with pensions that barely suffice, strive to protect their loved ones.
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