"I was 15 years old, broke, and when he offered me money, I took it." This is how Yasiel Guerra, a young Cuban known on Instagram as yasiel0910, recounts his first sexual encounter with a foreigner. His straightforward narrative has sparked a wave of comments, highlighting an uncomfortable reality plagued by poverty, coercive circumstances, and youth prostitution in Cuba.
In a video shot in El Vedado, which he refers to as "the real studio," Yasiel shares his story candidly. He recalls being tasked by his mother to sell a bag of sugar at the market on that day. With no money to hang out with friends, a foreigner suddenly approached him in the middle of Parque de la Fraternidad, calling him handsome and expressing a desire to have sex in exchange for payment.
Yasiel admits he had never done anything like that before. He hesitated but eventually agreed because "at that moment, money meant more." They met a second time. "I didn't have a bad time," he reflects, although he also felt "weird" and confused. His account, devoid of self-pity, reveals a painful reality.
Video comments commend his bravery for sharing such a story. Some viewers see their own experiences reflected: "This is similar to my story," one wrote. Another added, "The damned poverty in that country is unforgivable." Others call out the silence surrounding adults who prey on vulnerable minors: "Why aren't we discussing the behavior of those who convince 15-year-olds to prostitute themselves?"
Confronting Youth Prostitution and Sexual Tourism in Cuba
Yasiel's confession reignites a debate that Cuban society often chooses to ignore. In 2023, CiberCuba shared the harrowing accounts of three young Cuban women, aged 19 to 22, who turned to prostitution "because things are tough," earning up to $200 from foreign tourists. "We do it out of necessity because this country is useless," one of them stated.
Male prostitution, though less visible and more stigmatized, is also a reality. Julio César González Pagés' book, Pingueros in Havana, documented 120 testimonies from young men involved in prostitution, many of whom were abused as children or driven by poverty. "It's an uncomfortable truth for Cuban society," the author asserts.
Stories like Yasiel's also echo the film "Chamaco" (2010) by director Juan Carlos Cremata, which was the first to explore male prostitution and the nocturnal Havana of offered bodies and shattered dreams. "I want to be a voice for all young people who have gone through this," Yasiel declares in his post's description, underscoring the significance of his narrative.
Understanding the Challenges of Youth in Cuba
What led Yasiel Guerra to share his story?
Yasiel Guerra shared his story to bring attention to the harsh realities faced by young people in Cuba, including poverty and youth prostitution, and to offer support to others who have had similar experiences.
How does Yasiel's story reflect broader issues in Cuban society?
Yasiel's story highlights the pervasive issues of poverty, coercion, and the exploitation of vulnerable youths in Cuba, shedding light on an often-ignored aspect of the country's social problems.
What has been the public reaction to Yasiel's confession?
The public reaction has been mixed, with many praising Yasiel's courage for speaking out, while others express outrage over the systemic issues that allow such situations to occur.