A man identified as Pedro Cova, 63 years old and originally from Santiago de Cuba, sent a message to the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel in which, despite declaring himself a staunch defender of the government, he reports that he sleeps on the floor because he was never given the mattress he is entitled to.
The clip was shared by the independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada and became a portrayal of the contradictions present in the Cuban system. A loyal citizen to the regime personally experiences the hardships that the official narrative promises to address without success.
"Díaz-Canel, I address you as president, as the brother comrade of Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro, gave the position to you. I tell you that we agree with you, and that is why we want prices to be lowered because we, with the mipyme, cannot compete."
Cova presents himself as a former worker of the Paquito Rosales Central, where he was acknowledged as a leader and one of the best operators, but today he lives in extreme poverty and neglect.
"I was at the forefront in my work as an operator, I was one of the best operators at the Paquito Rosales Central, where I earned a car as a reward, but they took it back from me because it was an allowed benefit. They sold the car and didn't give me anything," he recounts in the video.
Despite that story of loyalty, the man lives in conditions of extreme poverty. Nevertheless, he assures the ruler that vulnerable people are receiving a module that will help them greatly.
"That thing you are doing by sending us a module is very good. The people are very happy. We are doing well, but let's see if you can lower that milk that costs 600 pesos to 200 pesos so that we can afford to eat. I'm an old man who can't take a sip of milk to my mouth. What I'm drinking is coffee," he points out.
The modules in question are for the victims of Cyclone Melissa. More than six months have passed, and many people still have not received assistance from the government. Among them are those who lost their beds due to the flooding, including Pedro Cova.
"Díaz-Canel, I also want to ask you to give me my mattress, which they haven't given me, and I'm sleeping on the floor. It's true, I'm speaking about the reality as a revolutionary fighter," he says with a mix of complaint and political reaffirmation.
Far from questioning the system, Cova lashes out at those who criticize the president: "I am speaking well of you and anyone who speaks ill of you, I will shut them up."
The video illustrates a reality that the Cuban regime prefers to ignore: not even the citizens that the system classifies as priority beneficiaries receive what is promised to them. The government has abandoned vulnerable people and they survive thanks to charity in the streets.
The hurricanes Oscar, in October 2024, and Melissa in 2025, affected more than 3.5 million people in eastern Cuba and left tens of thousands of homes damaged.
Mayeta explained that Cova might have some mental health issues, and he himself refers to this topic during his intervention.
The comments on the post were predominantly in a tone of Cuban humor. One person noted: "We understand your point, comrade, but you have to persevere with creativity." Several users emphasized that: "The only thing he said that was accurate was that Raúl appointed Díaz-Canel without consulting anyone."
Pedro Cova, in his humble, solitary, and austere life in Santiago de Cuba, cannot imagine that his testimony better summarizes than any analysis the moral and material collapse of 67 years of revolution.
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