American YouTuber Highlights Dire Conditions in Cuba: A Glimpse into Life on the Island

The American YouTuber known as Adventure Elliot has recently gone viral on TikTok after sharing a video from his trip to Cuba, where he reveals the dilapidated state of a building in Havana that is home to multiple Cuban families. This post, which has garnered over 2.1 million views since mid-April, has sparked widespread discussion on social media regarding the dire situation on the island. "People live in fear because these buildings could collapse at any moment," Elliot states in his videos as he walks through a home where multiple generations live amidst cracks, dampness, and roofs on the verge of collapse. "These are the homes they've had for generations, ever since Castro took power and handed the apartments to the people."

While Elliot notes that residents do not pay rent, he cautions, "This is the reality. There's a room here, the kitchen over there... and in that corner, there's a Santeria altar." The video is part of a series that Elliot has posted on TikTok and other platforms, documenting his experiences in Cuba, where he also discusses issues such as fuel shortages, the collapse of public transportation, internal and external migration, and the food and healthcare crisis.

The Humanitarian Crisis Unveiled

In another video, the creator explains: "Cuba is experiencing a humanitarian crisis. Let me explain what's happening in this country." He continues, "Transportation is a problem. That's why people still use carts, walk, or ride motorcycles—because there's no gasoline, no fuel. People have to wait hours to get gas."

"The situation is that there aren't enough cars, motorcycles, or taxis, so people wait for hours to get from one place to another. It's brutal. The struggle is real," he summarizes. Elliot also discusses the exodus: "There's a demographic crisis. People are fleeing small towns for Havana, and as you can imagine, Havana is now chaotic. Beyond that, people are leaving the country. But now they can't go to the United States due to Trump's new regulations... previously they could, so now they're trying to go to Europe."

Health and Food Challenges

The YouTuber also highlights the healthcare and food crisis: "There's a lack of medicine, a lack of food, and inflation. You go to a pharmacy, and there's nothing—no ibuprofen, no insulin. It's tough. Food is very expensive. Protein is costly, vegetables exist, but the problem is... the problem is... those who work in agriculture don't have much incentive. They're just surviving because they have to sell... the majority of their crops to the government, you understand? They don't profit from it. They work... they're basically slaves."

Elliot reflects on the differences between Cuba and his own country: "I think Americans could learn a valuable lesson from Cubans because Americans are always like, 'I want a new car, I want this, I want that.' We've lost our values in the United States."

The scene shows him walking down the street, greeting two elderly people and giving them money. "There's a lot of hunger, a demographic collapse, a lack of medicine, a lack of transportation," he summarizes. "People who don't understand the situation just blame the United States. And certainly, the U.S. bears some responsibility... for example, there was more tourism under Obama."

Responses on Social Media

In addition to TikTok clips, the YouTuber posted an extensive video on his YouTube channel, summarizing his experience in Havana with images of the Malecón, inner streets, and neighborhoods less visible to tourists. In the video description, Elliot wrote: "In this video, I'll show you what I saw while walking around Havana, Cuba. It's one of the most interesting places I've visited. It's a complicated country, but the Cuban people are incredible."

The video has prompted thousands of comments. Some blame the U.S. embargo for the island's situation, while others point directly to the Cuban regime. "All this is due to the U.S. embargo on Cuba. This should be mentioned each time its crumbling infrastructure is shown—America is to blame," one user commented. Another replied, "If you blame the embargo, you clearly know nothing about Cuba."

Others pointed out the country's wasted potential: "Cuba could be the Hawaii of the Caribbean if they got organized." Another added, "It could have been almost like Las Vegas of the Caribbean. It could have..."

A Cuban-American user expressed: "As a Cuban-American, everyone who blames the embargo is wrong. This is a leadership and government problem in Cuba."

"Blessings for showing the real Cuba," wrote another user.

Similar Stories from Other Visitors

Elliot's case is not unique. In recent months, several foreign visitors have documented their visits to Cuba, highlighting similar situations.

Peruvian influencer Oscar Curi showcased the precariousness in the Los Pocitos neighborhood, where he interviewed a woman living without water and a shower. A Chilean tourist, @fannycosas, recounted how a waiter confessed to quitting medicine due to a lack of supplies and work stress. Meanwhile, Spanish visitor Carolina Márquez displayed extreme poverty scenes in Trinidad that left her "crying from helplessness."

Elliot, originally from Wisconsin, USA, explained in a 2022 interview with the Spanish newspaper El Español that he fell in love with the Spanish language during a university exchange in Costa Rica, which led him to move to Spain. There, he worked as a conversation assistant in educational centers and began producing content on social media. "I want to show both the beautiful and the ugly," he stated, referring to his goal of documenting less visible areas in both Spain and Latin America.