Cuban Woman's Shrimp Dish Sparks Viral Debate on Food Inequality in Cuba

A Cuban woman known as @anita.cubanita64 has once again become a viral sensation on TikTok after sharing her experience of cooking shrimp for the first time in her home on the island. In the midst of Cuba's food shortages and high prices, many viewers dubbed the dish "a meal for the wealthy." In her video, she remarked, "Doing this in Cuba is only for millionaires or those working for the government. Or maybe you have a relative in the United States sending you money. I can assure you that 90% of Cubans have never eaten this."

She clarified that she does not belong to any privileged group: "No, my dear, I neither work for the government nor have family abroad, nor am I a millionaire. It's just that a friend wanted to treat me today and sent me this little pack of shrimp. It's the first time I'm cooking it at home." During her video, she detailed her cooking method, saying, "I decided to make it like a spicy sauce because that's how I was told to do it." She added, "I put in some sugar, which you know is a must, and this is how it turned out. In the end, they gave me this pizza, so that's what I ate it with."

The video, which has amassed thousands of views, sparked a heated debate among users. Some congratulated her and offered cooking tips—such as "drain them well, fry them in butter if you have it, and once they start turning golden, add the seasonings" or "make them with cream and cheese on top, they're super delicious." Others criticized her for details like her kitchen utensils or manicure. One user questioned her about "rusty knives but well-maintained nails," to which others replied that manicures are affordable on the island and that she works with beauty salons.

The Cost and Availability of Seafood in Cuba

Amidst the comments, many were shocked by the cost of the shrimp. When asked about the price, @anita.cubanita64 responded, "A kilo costs about 4,000." This amount, equivalent to several days of a state salary, underscores why seafood in Cuba is considered a luxury.

The video not only highlighted everyday inequalities but also underscored a recurring paradox on the island: living surrounded by the sea yet being unable to access its bounty. In a previous video, another creator explained that "eating lobster in Cuba is prohibited" and that "buying and selling lobster and shrimp is also banned." According to her, these products are only available in state-authorized establishments or tourist hotels: "We live in Cuba, on an island surrounded by water, but no, we cannot eat lobster, we cannot eat shrimp."

Government Control and Food Scarcity

Government regulation over fishing and exports has made items like lobster and shrimp unattainable for the average citizen. Although authorities blame climate change for decreased catches, much of the production is earmarked for export. Meanwhile, ordinary Cubans are left to see these foods only on hotel menus or in videos like @anita.cubanita64's, turning them into a rare indulgence. In another video, she lamented, "We live on an island surrounded by water, but no, we can't eat lobster, we can't eat shrimp," a sentiment echoed in her viral content.

This isn't the first time the young woman has highlighted the country's food crisis. In another video, she pointed out that "most people don't even have bread for breakfast" and explained that a bag of bread can cost up to 700 Cuban pesos, while the ration book only allows one loaf per person per day. "People living on a salary can't afford to buy a bag of bread every day because if they do, they won't have enough for anything else," she stated.

The Reality of Food Costs in Cuba

In another post, she demonstrated how to make fried rice, calling it her "millionaire's meal." "I'm not a millionaire nor do I have family abroad; we just like to have an out-of-the-ordinary meal once a month," she explained. The dish included ingredients rarely found in Cuban kitchens: bacon, sausages, eggs, and vegetables, as she detailed in one of her most commented posts.

Such stories have sparked similar debates on social media. A few months ago, another young Cuban showcased what she described as a "rich person's breakfast": sliced bread, avocado, and onion, a combination that cost nearly a third of the state's monthly salary, according to another viral video criticizing inflation and food scarcity on the island. In another instance, a woman cooked lobster at home after her husband received it as a work gift, which many considered "a stroke of luck" given the impossibility of purchasing it.

These stories have become common on TikTok, where many Cubans share their daily lives, exposing the contrast between exported abundance and domestic scarcity. Consuming bread, eggs, meat, or seafood is increasingly challenging, and with prices effectively dollarized, most can barely cover the basics.

In this context, @anita.cubanita64's video of cooking shrimp has resonated as a window into the reality faced by millions of Cubans. Her statement, "Doing this in Cuba is for millionaires," has become a testament to an uncomfortable truth: even the ocean's bounty has become a luxury on the island.