"Here's how prices look on online platforms for Cuba," wrote Alianis Leyva, a young Cuban woman, accompanying a video she posted on her TikTok account. The video highlights the shocking reality of the cost of living on the island.
"This is what my mom could buy with $170," Leyva stated, listing the items purchased: three kilograms of sausages, a 40-pound box of chicken, two rolls for traditional sandwiches, a kilogram of cheese, another sandwich spread, two cans of fruit cuts, two kilograms of cornmeal, a kilogram each of green and yellow split peas, five cans of sweet corn, four mortadellas, four 900-milliliter bottles of oil, three packs of chicken mince, five bars of bath soap, a carton of eggs, three packs of elbow pasta, a packet of yeast, three packs of spaghetti, a case of olives, two bottles of liquid soap, and, as a "gift," a butter.
In addition, the delivery of the purchase to her municipality cost an extra $20, she noted.
"Tell me, what do you think of the prices?" Leyva wrote at the end of the video, echoing the frustration of thousands of Cubans who are grappling with exorbitant prices in a country where the average state salary doesn't exceed $20 per month.
The clip quickly went viral, sparking a widespread debate on social media about the high cost of groceries in the virtual stores operating in Cuba. Many Cubans increasingly rely on remittances from relatives abroad to access basic goods.
Amid a deep economic crisis marked by runaway inflation and a devalued national currency, many Cubans are denouncing the online platform prices as exploitative, while the regime fails to provide real solutions to alleviate the scarcity and hunger affecting the population.
Understanding the Economic Challenges in Cuba
What did Alianis Leyva's mother buy with $170?
She bought three kilograms of sausages, a 40-pound box of chicken, two rolls for traditional sandwiches, a kilogram of cheese, another sandwich spread, two cans of fruit cuts, two kilograms of cornmeal, various legumes, five cans of sweet corn, four mortadellas, several bottles of oil and soap, pasta, a case of olives, and a butter as a gift.
Why is there outrage over online shopping prices in Cuba?
The outrage stems from the high cost of living and inflated prices in online stores, which are unaffordable for many Cubans given the low average state salary of less than $20 per month.
How has the economic situation in Cuba affected its citizens?
Cuba's citizens face a deep economic crisis with rampant inflation and a devalued currency, leading to scarcity and hunger, with many relying on remittances from abroad to meet basic needs.