Residents of San Miguel del Padrón in Havana have raised alarms over adulterated toothpaste being sold at the bustling La Cuevita market. Despite appearing genuine with plastic-wrapped packaging, these tubes reveal nothing but a stick inside when opened at home, highlighting the dire state of Cuba's economic struggles. This unsettling report, shared by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on Facebook, also exposes similar deceptions with soap boxes that arrive sealed yet lack the actual product.
Consumers assert that everything is marketed as "authentic" until the truth is uncovered upon opening. In a country where securing basic hygiene products is already a daily ordeal, people now face scams that not only deplete their finances but also jeopardize their well-being.
Consumer Outrage and the Reality of Fraud
The frustration among Havana's citizens is palpable: paying high prices only to be deceived has become the latest indignity for a population enduring power outages, scarcity, and a black market thriving on necessity. In La Cuevita, buying with confidence seems impossible; the area is rife with police raids and blatant frauds, painting a vivid picture of disarray under a government unable to provide even the simplest needs.
On social media, one user reported the sale of counterfeit H. Upmann cigarettes filled with sawdust on Friday. Another user, Giovanys Fernández Abreu, mentioned similar scams in the same location, writing on Facebook about the "soap box swindlers" in La Cuevita.
Violence and Unrest at La Cuevita
In March, a suspected scam led to a violent confrontation in this popular commercial zone. Previously, in December 2024, an inspector stabbed a street vendor, illustrating the everyday chaos in the area. Another incident in March 2023 involved a woman who purchased what she thought was oil, only to find it was actually water mixed with vinegar.
Despite a costly renovation in 2019—amounting to over two million pesos, with 600,000 contributed by private entrepreneurs—La Cuevita remains plagued by reports of disorder, filth, and recurring scams.
Social Media Reactions and Ongoing Concerns
A young Cuban woman documented her visit to the market on TikTok in May 2025. "The streets are broken, littered with trash, there are no visible trash cans, and there’s a complete lack of awareness about maintaining good hygiene," she warned.
She also criticized the sale of medications there: "Since pharmacies are out of stock, these places are full of drugs... it’s unclear if they ever clean because everything looks so depressing."
Understanding the Crisis at La Cuevita Market
Why are products at La Cuevita often counterfeit?
The prevalence of counterfeit products at La Cuevita stems from the severe shortages and economic mismanagement in Cuba, leading vendors to resort to fraudulent practices to exploit consumer desperation.
What impact does the lack of basic goods have on Cuban society?
The scarcity of essential items results in daily struggles for Cubans to meet basic needs, fostering a climate of frustration, vulnerability to fraud, and a reliance on a burgeoning black market.
How has the Cuban government responded to these issues?
The Cuban government's response has been largely ineffective, with continued control failures and an inability to provide necessary resources, leading to increased public discontent and reliance on informal markets.