Humor in Cuba has historically reflected the problems and issues that most affect the population. Therefore, it is not surprising that the rising cost of oil, which has become one of the most difficult basic products to afford, now appears as raw material for satire.
The Cuban comedian Otto Ortiz this Wednesday tapped into that reality in a video posted on Facebook, in which he appeared with a bottle of oil hanging around his neck, as if it were a chain or a medallion used to display wealth.
"If there's one thing that bothers me in life, it's those people who, to show off their wealth or that they have money and are doing well, start wearing gold chains and enormous medallions," the artist began.
Ortiz stated that he does not endorse those traditional displays of wealth and, while holding the bottle against his chest, prepared to conclude the scene.
"I see that as a negative thing because there are many more concrete, objective, and practical ways to truly demonstrate that you are prosperous. I don't know, that's just my take," he expressed.
The bottle hanging around his neck completed the joke without the need for further explanation: in the midst of rising prices, having oil is portrayed as a more convincing sign of prosperity than wearing gold chains.
The occurrence coincides with a significant increase in the price of oil in Cuba. In April, the price per liter was around 1,500 pesos; by June, it was being sold between 1,800 and 2,000, and in July, it reached 2,500 pesos in Havana and exceeded 3,000 in several provinces.
The increase continued in August, when a resident of Havana reported finding the liter at 4,000 pesos. In the comments of that post, residents from other areas reported prices of up to 5,000 pesos.
The oil had already inspired another humorous scene. Loky Kubah portrayed a buyer trying to gather money as the price jumped from 2,500 to 3,500 pesos in just a matter of minutes.
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