Cuban Woman's Shopping Haul Sparks Reactions: "Without Power, How Do You Preserve It?"

A Cuban woman from Matanzas has stirred up social media after sharing a video showcasing what she was able to purchase with 22,000 Cuban pesos. The TikTok user, identified as Sheyla (@sheyreyes03), broke down her haul of groceries and basic supplies, highlighting the steep cost of living on the island.

In her video, Sheyla explains that the sum allowed her to buy a tray of eggs, a can of condensed milk, a pack of chicken breasts, three packages of hamburgers, four packs of sausages, a package of chicken liver, both fresh and pre-fried potatoes, a bottle of oil, a bag of powdered detergent, a bottle of liquid detergent, and other essential items. She concludes the video by inviting her followers to share their thoughts on the prices.

The video sparked an intense discussion on TikTok, with many users expressing shock at the high prices in Cuba. A frequent question was the conversion of 22,000 Cuban pesos to dollars, approximately $64 according to the informal exchange rate, while others criticized the island's dire economic conditions. "How much is that in dollars?" several users asked. "More than 95% of Cuba's population can't afford this," commented one user, noting that the average salary on the island is barely 3,000 pesos.

Further reactions reflected concerns for Cubans who do not receive remittances from abroad. "I can't imagine how those without any outside help are managing," wrote one follower. Comparisons to other countries were also made: "In Venezuela, the monthly salary is just $3," another user noted.

Sheyla's video is not the first to highlight Cuba's economic crisis. A few weeks earlier, she posted another video detailing what she could buy with 16,000 Cuban pesos, underscoring the difficulties in obtaining basic items like oil and rice. Recently, Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa admitted that "even with a salary of 6,000 pesos, one cannot live on the island."

Inflation in Cuba has sent prices for food and essential products soaring. Recently, black market rice hit 300 pesos per pound, and bread in Santiago de Cuba rose to 50 pesos per unit due to flour shortages. Additionally, at José Martí International Airport, a simple container of ice cream is sold for $4, more than 1,000 Cuban pesos, sparking outrage among citizens.

Uncertain Times

The rising cost of living in Cuba is a stark reflection of the severe economic crisis the country faces. Scarcity of basic goods, the depreciation of the Cuban peso, and inflation have left many families in dire straits. Although the government has announced measures such as the arrival of ships carrying wheat for flour production, these initiatives have yet to stabilize prices.

Meanwhile, Cubans both on the island and abroad continue to voice their struggles on social media, underscoring the urgent need for effective solutions to alleviate the nation's economic woes.