A Mexican went viral on social media after posting a video in which he describes his recent visit to Cuba as an experience he enjoyed "every minute, every second," despite having personally experienced power outages, mosquito bites, and shortages of basic products.
The clip, published on the Facebook profile Martin y la Cubana and lasting just one minute and 36 seconds, has already garnered over 134,000 views, 13,194 likes, and 805 comments, reflecting the interest that these types of testimonies generate among Cubans and Latin Americans.
"I enjoyed every minute, every second while I was in Cuba, even when my battery ran out, the electricity went out, or when I was bitten by mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and the little flies; I enjoyed even the bites from the no-see-ums," the traveler stated with evident enthusiasm, using Cuban colloquialisms to refer to electricity and the types of insects that bit him during his stay.
The Mexican traveled through Varadero, attended parties, and visited camps, expressing particular gratitude to the people he met. "I loved my people; I truly am grateful to all the Cubans who treated me well," he noted.
He also highlighted the local cuisine: hearty soups and roasted pork were part of his experience. When Cristal or Mayabe beers ran low, the visitor resorted without complaint to "planchado," "colado" alcohol, and "azuquín," artisanal and informal drinks that are part of the everyday ingenuity of Cuba in the face of scarcity.
"Cuba is very beautiful; despite everything one goes through, it is quite enjoyable," he summarized, and ended the video with the wish to return one day.
The testimony comes at a time when Cuba is experiencing one of the worst energy crises in its history, with blackouts exceeding 20 hours a day in many areas and a generation deficit that reached 2,369 MW this Tuesday, according to data from the National Electric System. The country has suffered at least four total collapses of its electrical grid so far in 2026.
This reality is compounded by an active epidemic of dengue and chikungunya. Cuba closed 2025 with nearly 81,900 combined cases and 65 associated deaths, and the outbreak continues in 2026 with active alerts in several provinces. Power outages worsen the situation by hindering water pumping and promoting the proliferation of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, precisely the type of insect that the young Mexican described so naturally.
It's not the first time a Mexican traveler has sparked debate with a positive view of the island. In March 2026, another tourist identified as "Cristopher Ar" was criticized by Cubans for stating that "Cuba is not for the demanding" and that blackouts "are a reality" that must be lived with. Many residents on the island questioned that visitors "romanticize" a crisis that for them is not a travel anecdote, but their daily life.
On the Facebook profile where the Mexican, who is in a relationship with a Cuban as can be seen from the rest of the posts, shares many more videos documenting his experience on the island.
"I hope that one day I can return," concluded the Mexican, in a statement that resonated with those who appreciate the warmth of the Cuban people and with those who see with frustration how the island's hardships become a form of quaintness for tourists.
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