A Cuban man took to TikTok to share a revealing video about the meager amount of groceries he could purchase with 5,000 Cuban pesos, shedding light on the severe economic hardship faced daily in the island nation. "I just returned with my partner from buying groceries. We literally had nothing left—no rice, no main dish, we were barely scraping by," explained the user known as @yoel_daniel0 as he showcased their purchases.
In the footage, the young man reveals that the money only stretched to cover five pounds of rice, beans, ground meat, some fruits (mangoes), salt, and garlic, along with a pack of frozen sausages they already had at home. "This right here, folks, cost us five thousand pesos. We were calculating it. Life in Cuba is tough," he added.
Expressing his frustration, he further reflected, "If I calculate what we spend on food, honestly, we could probably buy a house with it, I swear." The video quickly went viral on social media, with numerous Cuban users echoing similar experiences regarding the exorbitant food prices and the struggle to feed their families with their current incomes.
Ongoing inflation, scarcity, and low wages continue to define the daily reality for most Cubans, many of whom turn to social media to voice their grievances about the dire economic crisis plaguing the country.
Understanding the Economic Struggles in Cuba
What did the Cuban man buy with 5,000 pesos?
He purchased five pounds of rice, beans, ground meat, some fruits (mangoes), salt, garlic, and used a previously owned pack of frozen sausages.
Why is the cost of living so high in Cuba?
The high cost of living is attributed to inflation, scarcity of goods, and low wages, which exacerbate the economic struggles of the Cuban population.
How are Cubans responding to the economic crisis?
Many Cubans are turning to social media platforms to share their experiences and voice their concerns about the economic hardships they face daily.