In a video shared on TikTok, Cuban national Moraima Lescay (@moraimalescay), who recently returned from the island, describes the harsh reality faced by Cubans today. "Folks, I just got back from Cuba, and I just left the doctor because my arm was swollen. Cuba is in a terrible state!" Moraima begins in her video.
In this clip, Moraima urges those with family or friends in Cuba to send money or reload their cards, asserting that "there is hunger in Cuba." She recounts how many people are dealing with unbearable heat and a lack of food that leaves them exhausted. "A head of garlic costs sixty pesos. An avocado is a hundred pesos. A pound of pork is eleven hundred pesos," she notes, highlighting the exorbitant cost of basic food items compared to the meager salaries of many Cubans, who, according to her, earn just 1,500 pesos a month.
Moraima also comments on the visible desperation in the streets of Havana, mentioning that she has seen both elderly and young people scavenging through trash. "No one needs to tell me the story; I saw it myself," she asserts, lamenting the state of the streets, where garbage sometimes covers half a block.
"I don't understand how, in the corners of Cuba, at least in Havana where I was, there is so much trash. It's incredible that this happens where the president lives. But of course, since he is fine, he doesn't care about the people," Moraima criticizes.
She concludes her video by highlighting the fear that Cubans feel about expressing themselves freely. "The few people left in Cuba are suffocating, and you can't say anything to them because they are afraid. Cubans are afraid to even speak. I was scared of everyone; I didn't trust anyone because you don't know who the informer is," she confesses, underlining the climate of distrust and repression that, according to her testimony, pervades the island.
Finally, Moraima makes an urgent plea for solidarity: "I ask those who have friends in Cuba to send even just a carton of eggs," she concludes, emphasizing the desperate need for support that Cubans are currently experiencing.
In response to her words, many Cubans agree with her description in the video. "Very true, I arrived four months ago from Cuba. It's terrible over there," "That's right, you spoke the truth about Cuba. People are afraid to talk," "I believe you, I’ve been here a month, and I left it in flames," "All that is true, I travel to Cuba frequently, and it's true," and "You speak very well and tell the pure reality. You say what’s there without any embellishment," commented some users.
Current Situation in Cuba: Key Questions and Answers
This section addresses common questions and concerns about the dire conditions in Cuba as described by Moraima Lescay in her viral TikTok video.
What are the current living conditions in Cuba?
According to Moraima Lescay's video, Cubans are facing severe food shortages, extreme heat, and high prices for basic goods compared to their low salaries.
How much do basic food items cost in Cuba?
Moraima Lescay mentions that a head of garlic costs sixty pesos, an avocado costs a hundred pesos, and a pound of pork costs eleven hundred pesos, highlighting the high cost of basic food items.
What is the average monthly salary in Cuba?
According to Moraima Lescay, the average monthly salary for many Cubans is just 1,500 pesos, making it difficult for them to afford basic necessities.
Why is there so much garbage in the streets of Havana?
Moraima Lescay criticizes the poor waste management in Havana, noting that garbage often covers half a block in some areas, reflecting the neglect and mismanagement by the authorities.