The Cuban comedian Mario Sardiñas, famously recognized for his character Chequera, once again sparked laughter across social media with one of his most current and biting satirical takes: the skyrocketing value of the dollar and euro against the sagging Cuban peso.
In a recently released video, Chequera humorously expressed his "serious concern" over the "health status" of three familiar figures: Ulises Sánchez Domínguez (USD), María Luisa Carrasco (MLC), and Eulogio Urbano Rodríguez (the euro). Using his distinctive voice and straightforward style, the comedian quipped: "Friends, I'm worried about the health of our buddy Ulises Sánchez Domínguez, aka USD. In just two days, he's put on eight pounds. He's now weighing in at 468. Uli, man, you can't follow the same path as María Luisa Carrasco, MLC! That girl has been on quite the diet, now she's down to 200 pounds. Take care, Uli, we care about you."
But the humor didn't stop there. Chequera also took a jab at the euro: "As for Eulogio Urbano Rodríguez, the euro buddy, don't even get me started. He's going wild, packing on carbs like crazy, his triglycerides are through the roof. He's already at 525 pounds. He doesn't take care of himself, he doesn’t."
And to top it off, he didn’t forget about the Cuban peso, represented by his friend Manuel Navarro (MN): "The one who's really stressed out is my dear friend Manuel Navarro. Imagine, working hard for all those folks. He's burnt out, just burnt out."
With his touch of Cuban humor, Chequera cleverly highlighted the country's dire economic situation, where the currency seems to be gaining weight faster than the average Cuban's pockets.
According to the latest informal exchange rate published by elTOQUE on October 17, the US dollar is valued at 468 CUP, the euro at 525 CUP, and the MLC at 200 CUP. In other words, Chequera's "characters" are getting "heavier," while the Cuban peso undergoes a relentless diet, lacking any supplements.
Through his comedy, Mario Sardiñas continues to show that, amidst the crisis, laughter remains one of the few things whose value hasn't diminished in Cuba.
Understanding the Economic Satire of Chequera
What is the main theme of Chequera's satire?
Chequera's satire focuses on the increasing value of foreign currencies like the dollar and euro against the Cuban peso, using humor to critique the economic challenges in Cuba.
Who are the characters represented in Chequera's skit?
The characters include Ulises Sánchez Domínguez (USD), María Luisa Carrasco (MLC), Eulogio Urbano Rodríguez (the euro), and Manuel Navarro (MN), each symbolizing a different currency or economic element in Cuba.
How does Chequera use humor to address economic issues?
Chequera employs humor by personifying currencies and comparing their "weight gain" to their increasing value, thus highlighting the economic disparity in Cuba.