A Spanish tourist, who has been exploring Cuba recently, remarked that the island reminds him of North Korea due to the omnipresent political propaganda in its streets and cities. Documenting his journey on TikTok, the traveler humorously questioned the Cuban government's insistence on displaying banners with political leaders and slogans, despite the apparent lack of public interest.
"Just like in North Korea, we didn't see any commercial advertising, only political slogans and leaders. What do you think—should we swap our Ikea, Renault, and Mediamark signs for these?" he quipped in a video. His comparison highlights the fact that Cubans, according to his observations, seem indifferent to the propaganda, which serves more as a reminder of state control than an effective communication tool.
While traveling to Trinidad, the tourist again noted the pervasive political presence. "Lots of political signs because there are no other signs," he pointed out, illustrating the Cuban government's obsession with maintaining regime symbols, even though they appear to have little real impact on the people.
During his journey through Havana, he was struck by the evident poverty in the daily lives of Cubans. "We started handing out little gifts in Havana... things were much tougher than we expected," he mentioned while giving lollipops to children in the streets. The videos reveal that many Cuban parents were neither surprised nor alarmed by a stranger offering food to their children. On the contrary, "the adults were asking us," the young man noted.
The tourist was also taken aback by the city's deteriorating infrastructure, with old buildings and outdated elevators: "Everything was like a museum piece," he remarked. The scene he witnessed was of a Havana falling apart: "Let me show you a pharmacy. Look at the state of the pharmacies. This is how all the pharmacies in the city are," he lamented.
Despite the rundown streets and homes, he appreciated his interactions with the locals. "Given the circumstances, the Cubans treated us wonderfully," he added, acknowledging the kindness of the people amid the scarcity surrounding them.
This Spanish tourist's account highlights a country where political propaganda is prioritized but not credible, and where the population deals daily with poverty, scarcity, and the decay of their urban environment. This stark contrast between the image the government tries to project and the reality that Cubans live is evident.
Understanding Cuba's Political Propaganda and Infrastructure Challenges
Why did the tourist compare Cuba to North Korea?
The tourist compared Cuba to North Korea due to the extensive political propaganda visible in public spaces, similar to what is observed in North Korea, with a noticeable absence of commercial advertising.
What was the tourist's observation regarding Cuban infrastructure?
The tourist observed that the infrastructure in Cuba, particularly in Havana, was severely deteriorated, with old buildings and outdated facilities, describing it as resembling a museum piece.
How did the local population respond to the tourist's presence?
The local population was welcoming and kind to the tourist, despite the challenging conditions they faced daily, showing a high level of hospitality.