Recently, a heart-wrenching exchange between a Cuban mother and her young son has spread rapidly across social media, highlighting the dire situation faced by families on the island due to frequent power outages and a lack of basic necessities. This conversation has become emblematic of the accumulated suffering endured by countless families in Cuba.
In the poignant dialogue, shared by journalist Mario J. Pentón, the child, through tears, asks, "Why does Díaz-Canel cut off the power?" The mother responds, "It's not him who cuts the power. He's not the one who controls the switch. The only issue with him is that he's the president, and he's supposed to solve these problems, but they just don't get resolved."
Such a domestic yet symbolic scene underscores the struggle of many Cuban mothers trying to explain the unexplainable to their children. The mother continues, "When was the last time you had milk from the store?" The child replies, "Many days ago," revealing the harsh reality of their daily life. To make matters worse, the milk that arrived was spoiled, and the mother promises to find powdered milk the next day if possible. "I don't know what to tell you, my love, to stop you from crying and feeling sad because I hate seeing you upset. Don't be sad, baby, don't cry over this," she concludes, promising a trip to the park to lift the boy's spirits.
"This is the tragic reality for mothers in #Cuba. How do you explain to your child that you've been without electricity for days and the little milk you have is spoiled?" wrote Pentón alongside the video. A broken nation: Mothers, tears, and pent-up anger.
The video has not only sparked empathy but also a flood of personal stories. More than two thousand comments have poured in, each one echoing its own pain. "I couldn't finish watching the video because I started crying. I'm a new mother, and these things hit me deeply," shared a user named Lorena.
Most comments come from other mothers who not only resonate with the sentiment but also share similar experiences, describing how their children "cry for milk, for a fan, for not being able to sleep due to the heat, mosquitoes, or darkness." "This doesn't move the hearts of those in power. And the situation will just keep getting worse," lamented Yailet L. G.; while Amaury V. drew a chilling comparison: "The reconcentration of Weyler pales in comparison to what's happening in Cuba. People and children suffer from severe malnutrition..."
Stolen Childhoods: Hunger and Darkness
The scene is not an isolated incident. It reflects a daily reality in millions of Cuban homes. As Zayli S. comments, "That video hurts because we've lived it. Children don't have ideologies, they only have needs. They're exhausted and sad, and this will mark them forever." These accounts highlight a grim truth: Cuban childhood is being shaped by deprivation.
From lacking a simple glass of milk to losing sleep and spirit due to nights without electricity, mothers recount how food spoils, how children go to school without sleep, without breakfast, burdened by stress and sadness.
Resistance or Resignation
Some voices call for civic awakening: "When we love our children more than we fear this dictatorship, things will change," declares Martha V. However, others argue that the July 11 protests showed that taking to the streets solves nothing and only results in mothers being imprisoned, leaving their children alone. "What will we solve? Only to be imprisoned or disappeared, like on July 11. Because of this fear, people don't even go out anymore," warned a commenter following this line of thought.
"I don't think staying off the streets makes them bad mothers. On the contrary, they value being with their children more than material things," added another.
The Silent Cry of a Nation
This story does not belong to a single voice. It's a multitude in tears. The comments form a desperate chorus that denounces, shares, and embraces each other virtually. The video has become a catalyst for collective mourning.
"What did we Cubans do to deserve such punishment?" one Cuban woman asks bitterly. This video is not just a denunciation; it's an emotional x-ray of a fractured country. A child's tears over his "milk" are the tears of millions of Cubans who have lost faith, patience, and hope.
It's an urgent call to see the human face of suffering beyond statistics or ideologies. And while answers remain elusive, the message is clear: children cannot continue paying with hunger and tears for the decisions of adults. For if a country fails to ensure the well-being of its children, it has lost not only its present but also its future. Cuba hurts. Cuba cries. And millions are screaming in silence.
Understanding the Cuban Crisis
What caused the viral exchange between the Cuban mother and her son?
The exchange went viral due to its raw depiction of the hardships faced by many Cuban families, highlighting issues like power outages and food shortages.
How are Cuban families coping with the current crisis?
Cuban families are struggling to manage daily life amid electricity shortages and limited food supplies, leading to significant emotional and physical stress.
What is the impact of the crisis on Cuban children?
The crisis is affecting Cuban children by depriving them of basic necessities, disrupting their sleep and education, and causing stress and sadness.