Cuban Reality: "Sadness and Loneliness Everywhere You Go," Says Young Woman from Matanzas

A video shared on TikTok by a young woman from Matanzas has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, starkly revealing the harsh daily reality faced by millions of Cubans. The video, posted by @briana_matancera, features her personal thoughts on life in Cuba: “Living in Cuba these days has become a significant challenge. Yet, you rise early with hopes for a better day, only to face the harsh truth that it’s nearly impossible.”

She continues to describe the daily grind: waking up early to work, even though the salary is insufficient, because starving is not an option. People rush to markets or stores at the slightest hint of available goods, knowing full well that “the lines will be endless.”

Endless Struggles of Daily Life

The young woman points out the persistent water and electricity outages that "drive you crazy," the lack of sleep for children due to "heat and mosquitoes," and the plight of the elderly, who must "find ways to survive when they should be enjoying a peaceful old age." She laments that, after a long day of work without a proper meal, many return home only to find no bread available, forcing families to "get creative to purchase even the most basic necessities to sustain a household dependent on you.”

“Wherever you go, you feel sadness and loneliness. This is what life has become for Cubans,” she concludes.

Widespread Reaction and Frustration

The post has triggered a flood of responses filled with sadness, anger, and solidarity. Cubans living abroad expressed their pain at seeing what their compatriots on the island continue to endure. Others voiced frustration and hopelessness over the lack of change, raising questions about the future of younger generations and openly criticizing the Cuban political system.

This young woman's testimony reflects a reality well-documented by independent media. In provinces like Camagüey, the scarcity of wheat flour has left people without rationed bread for weeks, a problem the authorities have yet to solve despite repeated promises. Bread, a staple of the basic food basket, has become unattainable in several regions, with places like Guantánamo restricting its distribution to children under 13 and priority centers, sparking a wave of criticism on social media for excluding adults, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.

The Elderly: A Struggling Generation

Another poignant aspect of the testimony was the mention of the elderly, who, far from enjoying a dignified retirement, must find ways to survive amidst the crisis. This concern resonates with a recent report from the official newspaper Girón, which portrayed the harsh lives of retirees in Matanzas forced to sell on the streets to supplement pensions that barely reach 1,500 pesos monthly. Among the cases highlighted is a former engineer working under the sun, a former sugar industry worker selling cigarettes to make ends meet, and a retired administrator who, with his wife, struggles to cover basic needs.

More than 39% of retirees in Cuba now subsist on the minimum pension, equivalent to about five dollars at the informal exchange rate. This situation has worsened with the transfer of responsibilities from the National Institute of Social Security to the provinces, leaving the elderly even more vulnerable amid shortages and rampant inflation.

The video that stirred such an impact is not an isolated case but part of a growing trend: Cubans using social media to showcase their daily lives, highlighting the deterioration of life on the island, and sending a silent yet powerful cry of resistance. As official promises fade, citizen testimonies emerge as vivid portraits of a reality that can no longer be hidden.