Cuba's Beauty Marred by Neglect: Young Woman Sparks Debate Over Deterioration in Baracoa

A young Cuban woman, known on social media as @kary_y_jony, recently shared a video lamenting the ongoing decline of the country's landscapes and cities. She challenges the stigma faced by those who publicly address the crisis. Filming in a natural setting, she delivers a personal narrative that has resonated with hundreds: "Cubans are the only people who speak ill of their country," she begins, addressing a common retort she hears when discussing her surroundings.

Her testimony, recorded in Cuba and shared on TikTok, highlights the stark contrast between Cuba's natural beauty and the harsh conditions many citizens endure. "The most beautiful places are gradually disappearing; the landscapes featured in tourist promotions aren't accessible to everyone. Often, in the most stunning areas, there's more poverty, hunger, and need," she states in the video.

The young woman's account delves into how even the most privileged environments fail to ease daily hardships. "The sea loses its charm when your engineer's salary can't buy your child a snack, or when you're unsure what shoes they'll wear to school after vacation," she narrates.

Baracoa: A City Left Behind

During her recent visit to Baracoa, she was left with a bitter impression. The once-vibrant eastern Cuban city is fading, not just due to power outages but also neglect and abandonment by those prioritizing personal gain. "Baracoa, once known for its unique nature, now dims not just from lack of electricity but from being forgotten," she says, ending with a pointed question to those who criticize such revelations: "Do you think telling the truth is speaking ill of my country?"

Responses poured in, with several users defending their right to speak out, asserting that highlighting current issues isn't maligning Cuba. "WE DON'T SPEAK ILL OF CUBA, WE SPEAK ILL OF THE CASTRO REGIME," read one of the most liked comments, echoing others who emphasized that the issue lies with the system, not the nation itself.

Ongoing Conversations and Continued Documentation

This isn't the first time @kary_y_jony has stirred debate on social media with her posts. In May, she showcased the current state of La Esquina de Tejas, a once-iconic Havana landmark now in ruins. She expressed sorrow over the closure and apparent abandonment of a site that was once a cinema, bakery, and café.

In June, during another visit to Baracoa, she documented the town's condition, describing it as "faded and abandoned." She criticized that even the most marketed tourist spots suffer from blackouts, closed hotels, and a lack of opportunities for locals.

Other content creators have also captured the decay of public and heritage sites in Cuba. Recently, @abelitonemo highlighted the abandoned state of the Emperador Hotel in Cayo Coco, left untouched since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Meanwhile, @ledyhr92 visited Santa Clara's former EIDE 13 years post-graduation, sharing a viral video of the sports facility's devastation.

The issues these creators bring to light are evident elsewhere in the country. In Havana, a video reveals the "bus graveyard" of San Agustín, where state buses rust away under the open sky. In Santiago de Cuba, the most iconic sculpture of the Valle de la Prehistoria was dismantled after years of neglect.

@kary_y_jony's latest reflection adds to a growing narrative across the island, where natural landscapes endure, but memories, spaces, and opportunities fade amid ruins, neglect, and institutional apathy. For many, like this young creator, telling this reality isn't about disparaging the country but refusing to remain silent.