Content creator Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente has taken social media by storm with a video that has garnered over 570,000 views on Facebook. In it, she challenges a mantra often repeated by regime officials: “You owe your university degree to the Revolution.”
With a calm yet assertive demeanor, Anna Sofía, a graduate with a degree in Dental Prosthetics, unveils the arduous journey of earning a degree in Cuba. She shares how her mother would accompany her in the early hours to catch a bus to the university, the financial sacrifices made to purchase study materials, and the bureaucratic hurdles faced to secure a job placement.
“When my mother couldn't accompany me to the bus stop at dawn, we paid a neighbor to go with me. And that was every day throughout my time at university,” Anna Sofía recounts, showing images and audio clips of her experiences. The video has sparked thousands of comments and reactions, striking a blow against the official narrative that portrays Cuban education as a “gift” from the state.
“No, I earned that degree myself,” she emphasizes, pointing out that her family's expenses covered materials, transportation, and uniforms. With a blend of irony and insight, the influencer dismantles the official discourse: “They boast that the Revolution gave me that degree. Sorry, but that's not true. Education is free, but the leaders spend thousands of dollars on scholarships for their children to study abroad.”
A Wave of Support and Consequences
The video has elicited a groundswell of public support, particularly from young people and professionals who resonate with her story. Hundreds of Cubans have praised her courage in speaking out against what many experience but few dare to voice openly.
According to Benítez Silvente, the video’s viral nature has also led to repercussions. She revealed that she was recently summoned by university authorities after posting a previous video. She received direct threats for her statements and was informed that her degree, delayed for months due to an administrative error, was suddenly “ready.”
Responding with sarcasm to those who tried to discredit her by questioning her living conditions, she said, “My one-dollar guitar, my one-dollar sofa, my one-dollar TV... and my one-dollar fridge, which is currently stocked with six pounds of continuity and four kilos of resilience,” highlighting the hypocrisy of associating social criticism with extreme poverty.
A Stand for Change
Anna Sofía defended her right to speak out without fear and challenged the normalization of complacency: “Imagine calling me demanding for wanting a salary better than a carton of eggs. Who can live on three thousand pesos?” She emphasizes that her goal is not to emigrate but to expose what she views as a chain of abuses and neglect within Cuba's educational and employment systems.
“I'm not leaving the country. I want to stay and keep speaking out. I want a country where studying and working are worthwhile, where merit and effort are not punished,” she declared. Her bravery has made her a symbol of civic resistance.
Key Insights into Anna Sofía's Viral Video
What is the main message of Anna Sofía's video?
Anna Sofía's video challenges the narrative that Cuban education is a gift from the state, highlighting the personal and financial sacrifices made by students and their families.
How has the public reacted to Anna Sofía's video?
The video has received massive support from young people and professionals who can relate to her story, as well as praise for her courage in speaking out.
What consequences did Anna Sofía face after her video went viral?
She was summoned by university authorities, faced direct threats, and was informed that her previously delayed degree was suddenly ready.