A young Spanish tourist, known as @izzydizzy_95 on TikTok, shared his eye-opening experience after spending a week in Cuba, revealing a situation that left him in shock. In his video, the tourist acknowledged that, while he was aware of the island's difficulties, he did not expect them to be so extreme.
"Well, I spent this week in Cuba, and honestly, it was quite a shock for me. I knew the country's situation was complicated and all that, but I didn't imagine it was this complicated," he began his account.
Regarding the safety on the island—something he's been asked about—he assured that he had no issues: "It's safe, I mean, I didn't have any problems with anyone. I walked alone at night, drunk... nothing, no problem."
However, he was uncertain about recommending Cuba as a tourist destination due to the difficult situation he observed: "The power outages were intense, I mean, we were left without a fan or there was no electricity at night, so we didn't have a fan, we didn't have air conditioning, and it was unbearable."
In his empathetic testimony, he also mentioned the difficulties in acquiring basic goods: "Buying things was also a problem, I mean, you have to have a card. I don't know, there are certain cards they don't accept."
While lamenting the situation, he highlighted the human quality of Cubans and acknowledged the harsh reality they face: "It's really a shame because it's a super cool island with very cool things, the people are great, but they are going through a horrible, horrible, horrible situation."
His testimony, which he concluded with the hope that the "situation improves in Cuba," has sparked reactions on social media, where many Cuban users thanked him for his sincerity and empathy.
"You're still in shock. I have a friend who came to Spain with just the clothes on her back because she felt so bad that she gave away her clothes"; "Thank you, my friend, I'm Cuban, I managed to emigrate with my family, but the situation is terrible, the Cuban has lost their joy"; "You're absolutely right; that's how my country is, and it hurts"; "It's the reality, handsome!!! Thank you for your comments because many people don't know the truth"; "Thanks for saying things as they are, I leave you a favorite and a heart, I'm Cuban"; "I went last November with my ex-husband, and the same thing happened to me"; "I'm Cuban, the best way to help the people is not to travel, don't be complicit in a dictatorship, your money is being used by the dictatorship to repress the people. No travel to Cuba"; "60 years of dictatorship in Cuba and 25 years of dictatorship in Venezuela, Welcome to communism, without light and without water," read some of the dozens of messages that accumulated within hours of the post being shared.
Some comments, on the other hand, also reflected concerns beyond Cuban borders and warned about the future of Spain: "And wait, Pedro is leading Spain down the same path"; "Spaniards, fight not to get to that. Don't think you're far off given the path you're on. Venezuelans didn't think it would happen to them either"; "That's what communism is. Wait until Sánchez implements it here in Spain," commented several users in that sense.
Key Insights on Cuba's Current Situation
The young tourist's account has generated numerous questions and discussions. Here are some frequently asked questions to provide more insight into the situation in Cuba:
Is Cuba safe for tourists?
According to the young Spanish tourist, Cuba is generally safe, as he experienced no issues walking alone at night. However, the country's other challenges may affect the overall travel experience.
What are the power outage issues in Cuba?
The tourist reported frequent and intense power outages, which affected access to fans and air conditioning, making the heat unbearable at times.
How difficult is it to purchase basic goods in Cuba?
Acquiring basic goods can be challenging in Cuba. The tourist mentioned needing specific cards to make purchases, which may not always be accepted.
What is the general sentiment of Cubans about their situation?
Many Cubans expressed gratitude for the tourist's empathy and honesty, as they endure a tough reality marked by economic and social hardships.