When is Trump coming? was the question that independent American journalist Oliya Scootercaster heard most frequently during her recent visit to Havana.
Scootercaster, an associated videographer for FreedomNewsTV and known for her on-the-ground coverage of protests and immigration operations in U.S. cities, documented the living conditions she observed on the streets of the Cuban capital.
'When is Trump coming?' is the question I heard most often while in Havana, Cuba, observing daily life and the hardships faced by many people," the journalist wrote on her X profile.
Among the hardships documented are the scarcity of water and affordable basic food, buildings in a state of collapse with families living inside, and long nighttime lines in front of banks and ATMs where "withdrawals are limited to about 20 dollars per person."
He explained that gasoline is sold on the black market for approximately 4,000 Cuban pesos per liter, which is equivalent to about 8 dollars.
Scootercaster highlighted the attitude of the people from Havana: "Despite the conditions, the people were incredibly warm, generous, and eager for their voices to be heard."
One of the interviewed men said bluntly: "I am willing to die for freedom", explaining that it was important for him to speak out and not hide out of fear.
The journalist also captured the public outcry in a video where a voice can be heard saying: "Enough already. Freedom, freedom, freedom."
The report comes amid the worst economic and energy crisis Cuba has faced in decades. Since January 2026, the interruption of Venezuelan oil supplies has caused blackouts of up to 20 to 25 hours a day, the collapse of the water pumping system, and widespread shortages.
Eighty percent of Cubans believe that the current crisis is worse than the Special Period of the 1990s. In this context, the Trump administration has intensified pressure on the regime.
Last week, the president declared from the White House that they are engaging in dialogue with the regime and "it will be a great honor to take Cuba". His remarks came just days after the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged that there are contacts with Washington.
Scootercaster announced that it will publish the complete audiovisual material and the interviews conducted in Havana in the coming days.
Filed under: