A young Cuban identified on TikTok as @heydi_garcia18 (Heydita) posted a 16-second video on Saturday that went viral immediately and deeply divided social media: in it, she proudly lists everything she owns while living in Cuba, including two cars, a house, uninterrupted electricity, gasoline, and water.
The clip amassed 1.8 million views, over 50,600 «likes», 6,333 comments, and 2,742 shares in just two days.
The transcription is as brief as it is striking: "I live in Cuba and this is my two cars. I live in Cuba and this is my house. I live in Cuba and I have electricity. I live in Cuba and I have gasoline. I live in Cuba and I have water."
The polarized reaction is explained by the context that the island is experiencing at this moment: Cuba is going through the worst energy crisis in its recent history, with blackouts lasting up to 20 and 24 hours daily in many provinces.
In mid-May, the Electric Union (UNE) recorded a historic electric deficit: 2,174 MW, with a supply of only 1,133 MW against a demand of 3,250 MW.
On May 25, Havana recorded 23 hours and 11 minutes of blackouts in a single day, according to reports from UNE. By mid-June, the projected deficit remained at 1,720 MW.
The fuel shortage is equally structural. The Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, acknowledged in May that Cuba had "absolutely no fuel, no diesel, only associated gas." Between December 2025 and April 2026, the country received just one oil tanker when it needs eight per month.
The UN warned in February 2026 that in Cuba relies on electricity, severely restricting access to drinking water across the island.
In that context, a Cuban publicly declaring that she lacks neither electricity, gasoline, nor water —and that she also owns two cars and her own house— sparked an immediate and divided reaction.
For many users, the video is a provocation or a display of the privileges of a minority disconnected from the reality of the Cuban people. For others, it is simply the testimony of someone who has managed to thrive amid the crisis.
The phenomenon is not new. In January 2026, the TikToker @soy_jesspilar sparked a similar controversy by posting a video from a supermarket in Havana showcasing "premium products," accused of portraying an unrealistic image of Cuba. Since late 2025, videos featuring luxury cars and scarce goods have ignited recurring debates about the visible inequality on social media.
The gap is real: a minority with access to remittances from abroad, private businesses in foreign currency, or connections to the State can access goods that are unattainable for the majority. By specifically listing the three basic services that nearly all Cubans lack—electricity, gasoline, and water—the video by Heydita struck a raw nerve.
Meanwhile, other Cuban women on the island are collapsing due to the blackouts and the director of Cuban Television summarized the situation in May with a phrase that circulated widely: "We are dying while alive."
Filed under: