Cuban influencer Imaray Ulloa once again made waves on social media with a TikTok video where she highlighted the harsh living conditions in Cuba through a mix of irony and pain. "People often tell me, 'I visited your country for vacation and loved it. There's no poverty there. I'm going back with my family and friends,'" she begins, before shifting to dismantle this idyllic tourist image of the island.
With a serious demeanor and blunt words, Ulloa invites these tourists to "live like my people, without milk, without meat, cooking with charcoal because the electricity is cut off for over 22 hours." She also criticized the lack of communication options due to the dollarized prices of ETECSA, while Cubans earn their wages in pesos.
"Express yourself and see how you get imprisoned as a 'political prisoner' and treated like a criminal," she added, denouncing the repression of freedom of speech in Cuba. "For more than 60 years, Cuba hasn't been about beaches, cigars, and rum. Cuba is a prison without a voice," Ulloa concluded.
The video has sparked a wave of reactions on TikTok and other social media platforms. Dozens of users—many from exile and others from countries like Venezuela—praised her courage for speaking so frankly. "Bravo Imaray, widely shared," "This is your best video," were just some of the hundreds of comments celebrating her message.
One user recalled that her ex-sister-in-law also claimed Cuba was a free country "until she went on vacation, not to a five-star hotel, but to a friend's house... It changed her perspective."
Other messages highlighted the similarities with the situation in Venezuela and Nicaragua. "God willing, more people will express themselves like this, and we can change that reality," commented a follower. "If you don't raise your voice, you don't deserve my views," added another.
Ulloa's powerful denunciation reopens the debate on the contrast between the tourist image the regime tries to project and the harsh everyday reality faced by millions of Cubans. Her video has not only been shared thousands of times but has also ignited a feeling of solidarity among those living both outside and inside the island, reinforcing that, as one commenter noted, "it had to be said, and it was said."
Understanding the Reality Behind Cuba's Tourist Image
What did Imaray Ulloa criticize in her TikTok video?
Imaray Ulloa criticized the harsh living conditions in Cuba, highlighting issues such as lack of basic necessities, power outages, and the high cost of communication, contrasting these with the idyllic image presented to tourists.
How did social media users react to Ulloa's video?
Many users praised Ulloa's bravery and honesty, with comments coming from both exiles and individuals in countries like Venezuela, expressing solidarity and support for her message.
What comparison did Ulloa make about the situation in Cuba?
Ulloa compared Cuba to a "prison without a voice," challenging the tourist-friendly image of the country and emphasizing the severe restrictions on freedom and daily hardships faced by its people.