A Cuban residing in Murcia has taken to social media to highlight the dire humanitarian conditions currently unfolding on the island, drawing attention to power outages lasting up to 23 hours a day, severe food shortages, political repression, and systemic censorship—issues he claims are deliberately overlooked by the international community. The content creator known as @el.profesor.cubano on TikTok, famous for his critical and personal take on Cuban realities, passionately declared, "The Cuban people are starving, experiencing power cuts of 22 to 23 hours daily." His video, reaching thousands of views and reactions, boldly states, "What's happening in Cuba is a crime, and the world must know."
Broadcasting from Cartagena, this Cuban emphasized that his message is not targeted at political leaders but rather "at people like me," because, as he puts it, "leaders know everything and do nothing." He acknowledges the personal risks of speaking out freely about Cuba's reality, such as being unable to return to the island. "Cubans who speak out are automatically labeled as counter-revolutionaries and barred from returning," he lamented.
"When I tell you there are 23-hour blackouts in Cuba, that you can be jailed for 20 years for making a sign that says 'freedom,' without throwing a stone or insulting anyone... I have to let you know. It's my duty," he insisted. "I know what I'm risking, but I'm going to speak up regardless."
The young man also shared that his mother, still living in Cuba, recently celebrated her 63rd birthday "with nothing," and he hopes to bring her to Spain "above all those people, above all those dictators."
Public Reaction: Outrage, Support, and Calls for Action
The video sparked a wave of comments from Cubans both on the island and abroad, as well as Spaniards expressing empathy and shock at the crisis's scale. "Let everyone know what Cuba is like," wrote one user. Others described the situation as a "silent genocide," condemning the lack of food, potable water, medicine, and essential services. Some shared recent experiences on the island: "The first day we arrived, there were 16 hours without power, the second day 13," noted one commenter. Another reported blackouts lasting up to 44 continuous hours in rural areas.
Several commenters questioned the international community's inaction in the face of what they called a humanitarian catastrophe. "There are no protests, no marches, no government denounces this," one noted. "The whole world knows and does nothing because Cuba has no oil," added another.
Some criticism was directed at the creator for shifting his content's focus to politics, though many acknowledged the truth of his claims. "You know how Cuba is, it's no news to anyone, but anyway, you changed topics. Good luck," said a follower.
A Track Record of Viral Denunciations
The content creator, son of comedian Antolín El Pichón, has released numerous videos over the past months comparing his life in Spain to the one he left behind in Cuba, using everyday objects to illustrate the scarcity and hardship faced by Cubans. In one of his most talked-about videos, he showed a satellite dish on the street, noting that in Cuba, these are banned. "You have to hide it in unimaginable places because if they catch you, you could end up in jail," he explained about the information censorship.
He has also highlighted the struggle to access basic goods. In another viral video, he broke down what a Cuban's average salary—equivalent to about 20 euros monthly—can purchase, explaining that even with the money, acquiring products like shampoo or rice depends on connections and favors.
In a more personal post, he reminisced about his grandfather collecting nails from Cuban streets due to the absence of hardware stores and expressed his surprise at seeing tools readily available in any Spanish shop. More recently, he underscored the symbolic value of an empty bucket, which in Cuba might be used for bathing, storing water, or cooking as a testament to the people's ingenuity against structural scarcity.
The video ends with a direct message to fellow Cubans who criticize him for speaking out: "If you don't have the courage to do it because you want to keep going back to Cuba, I understand, I respect it... but don't interfere with what I'm doing. I will speak up, and people will know what's happening in Cuba."
His words have resonated within a community increasingly active in denouncing Cuba's crisis, joining the voices of hundreds of exiled Cubans who use social media to shed light on what they see as an emergency ignored by the international community.
Cuba's Crisis: Questions and Answers
What are the main issues highlighted by the Cuban in Spain?
The issues include extensive power outages, food scarcity, political repression, and systematic censorship.
How has the international community responded to Cuba's crisis according to the video?
The video suggests that the international community has largely ignored the crisis, with no significant protests or governmental actions.
What risks do Cubans face for speaking out against the government?
Cubans risk being labeled as counter-revolutionaries, facing potential imprisonment, and being barred from returning to the island.