The Cuban influencer, Eileen Morales, based in Miami, sparked a heated discussion on TikTok after responding to a user who claimed to have seen "everything" after returning from Cuba. The user suggested that, as everywhere, if you have money, you can live well. Morales challenged this notion, explaining that the perceived normalcy in tourist areas does not represent the country's reality. "You can go to Cuba, maybe to a restaurant, with your dollars from the United States, and see well-dressed people, people dining, people with cell phones, and think everything is fine... but that is not Cuba," she emphasized.
In her brief yet powerful reflection, Morales highlighted that this image pertains to a minority with access to foreign currency, while "the other, the real Cuba, is the one with blackouts, ration books, children going without breakfast, and people without medicine." She urged viewers not to be deceived by a superficial experience, asserting, "Don't judge Cuba by what you saw on your vacation. Cuba is not what it shows; it's what it hides."
Her video garnered thousands of reactions in the comments, with both support and disagreement. Many users shared similar experiences, particularly Venezuelans and Latin Americans who have lived under authoritarian regimes. "That's how it is, it happens in my country Venezuela too," one user commented. Others echoed the stark contrast between the tourist image and reality: "That phrase was epic, Cuba is not what it shows, it's what it hides," wrote another. There were also critical voices downplaying her denunciation: "That happens everywhere," or "Can't you talk about the blockade, or are you afraid?" some asked. Some defended tourism as a source of income, while others criticized her for speaking out "since you're already outside."
In a follow-up video, Morales expanded on her thoughts in response to a user who argued that this situation wasn't exclusive to Cuba. "Cuba's case is particularly different due to its political structure," she responded, explaining that "communism is a political and economic system where the government owns nearly everything: schools, hospitals, factories, lands, media, businesses... everything." She added that although entrepreneurship is officially permitted, the reality is "there's too much bureaucracy, too much oversight, all of which hinders the development of independent businesses."
Morales contrasted her current life in the U.S. with what it could have been on the island: "I started with a cellphone making little videos. Now I have a business, sponsors, my own brand. In Cuba, I wouldn't have been able to achieve any of that because in Cuba, if you shine too brightly, they dim you." She insisted that in countries like the United States, there are tools to thrive, whereas in Cuba, "you can't own two houses, you can't start a factory, you can't grow."
The influencer has consistently maintained this critical stance. In a video posted recently, Morales claimed that "all that tourism money goes into the government's pockets and does not help the people." She expressed her sorrow seeing foreign tourists enjoying the country while "a child is dying without food." She also recounted her own migration process, having to leave her child behind, and condemned the precarious state of the Cuban healthcare system.
Morales' perspective mirrors the growing discontent triggered by images like those from the Meliá Paradisus Los Cayos hotel, where a TikTok user filmed a buffet table overflowing with deli meats, meats, and pastries. "Who said there’s no food in Cuba?" the user quipped, showing trays full of items unattainable for most of the population. Social media comments were clear: "People no longer want to support dictatorships," wrote one user. Another added, "There are Cubans who will die without seeing half of what's there."
This type of content has rekindled the debate about inequality in Cuba, where the regime allocated more than 36.8 billion CUP to the tourism sector in 2024, while agriculture received just 2.7% of total investments. According to official figures, national pork production plummeted from 200,000 tons in 2018 to just 9,000 in 2024, turning pork into a luxury item. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero acknowledged that each territory "will have to rely on what it manages to produce," a statement that, for many, summarizes the collapse of the state model.
In this context, voices like Eileen Morales have become a reference point for many Cubans both on and off the island. Her direct and unambiguous message encapsulates the collective pain of exile and the frustration of those who feel that the image Cuba projects to the world doesn't reflect the truth: "Cuba is not what it shows; it's what it hides."
Understanding the Realities of Cuba
Why does Eileen Morales criticize the tourist image of Cuba?
Eileen Morales argues that the tourist image of Cuba does not accurately represent the country's reality. She highlights that while tourists may see well-dressed people and abundant food in certain areas, this only reflects a minority with access to foreign currency. The real Cuba, she emphasizes, struggles with issues like blackouts, food shortages, and lack of medicine.
How does Eileen Morales view the political system in Cuba?
Eileen Morales views the political system in Cuba as a communist regime where the government controls almost all aspects of life, including education, healthcare, and media. She argues that this leads to excessive bureaucracy and oversight, making it difficult for independent businesses to thrive.
What impact has Morales' message had on social media?
Morales' message has sparked significant discussion on social media, with many users expressing support and sharing similar experiences. Her critiques have resonated with those familiar with life under authoritarian regimes, while others have challenged her views by bringing up topics like the U.S. embargo on Cuba.