Comedian Jorge Díaz Valera has taken a comedic jab at the Cuban government's latest assertions about the nation’s diet, sparking a wave of mockery, anger, and rejection across social media platforms.
Díaz unleashed his biting irony in response to statements from a state television broadcast, where an official suggested that rice and potatoes shouldn't be staples in the Cuban diet.
In a Facebook post, Díaz ridiculed the governmental narrative that holds citizens accountable for the food crisis. With his trademark wit, he commented that after listening to an "expert on Cuban native foods," he felt "embarrassed to realize his mistake in eating in Cuba," and made an unusual announcement.
"I'm so Cuban that even if I have a choice, I will never look at a potato again, let alone rice. How can I consume something that isn't part of our agricultural culture?" he quipped sarcastically.
The satire continued to escalate. Díaz humorously claimed he would even turn off the TV if the Pope appeared, and if he saw someone eating rice in a Chinese movie, he would break the television.
"Now I understand why so many people in Cuba are sick; they've been consuming these products imposed by 'bad countries' for years. And at this rate, even pork has its doubts, since it used to be eaten a lot with the 'unpatriotic' rice," he declared.
Through his hyperbolic language, Díaz highlighted what many Cubans see as a government attempt to justify perpetual scarcity with narratives bordering on the absurd.
"From now on, Cubans should study more about what they eat because they get distracted by foreign foods instead of focusing on the basics," he concluded.
Díaz's words contribute to a collective catharsis in response to a narrative that tries to explain the food crisis by appealing to tradition or "authentic" cuisine, while store shelves remain empty and prices continue to soar.
Rather than providing concrete solutions, the state has chosen to blame the population's "eating habits" for the agricultural sector's collapse—a narrative met with disbelief by many.
On social media, numerous users have supported the comedian’s message, emphasizing that the issue isn't what Cubans eat, but that they have less and less to eat.
The controversy erupted after Dr. Roberto Caballero, a member of the National Executive Committee of Agricultural and Forestry Technicians, stated on the official program "Cuadrando la Caja" that a major obstacle to achieving "food sovereignty" is the population's consumption habits.
According to Caballero, products like potatoes—which originate from the Andes—are not suited to Cuba's climate or soil and result in more losses than benefits for the state.
He also criticized the high consumption of rice, remarking, "We are not Asians," suggesting this habit should change.
His comments, made amidst inflation, chronic shortages, and declining agriculture, were perceived by many as an attempt to shift responsibility onto citizens while ignoring the structural issues of the state agricultural model, lack of investment, and barriers to producers.
The reactions were swift. Activists, journalists, and users pointed out that rice is a fundamental part of Cuban cuisine and that before 1959, the country produced over 160,000 metric tons annually, whereas today it relies almost entirely on imports.
Others sarcastically noted that Cubans have already stopped eating meat and fish, and now they should also give up rice and potatoes.
In this context, Jorge Díaz Valera's satire serves as an uncomfortable mirror reflecting the contradictions of the official discourse. While fields remain overgrown with marabou, supplies are scarce, and producers receive delayed or insufficient payments, the debate shifts to what people "should" eat.
The comedian's post not only elicits laughter but also channels the frustration of a populace tired of rhetoric that, instead of offering solutions, finds new ways to justify scarcity.
Understanding the Cuban Food Crisis
What did Jorge Díaz Valera criticize about the Cuban government's statements?
Jorge Díaz Valera criticized the Cuban government's statements for blaming the population's eating habits, specifically the consumption of rice and potatoes, for the country's agricultural crisis.
What are the main points of Dr. Roberto Caballero's argument regarding Cuba's food sovereignty?
Dr. Roberto Caballero argued that the consumption habits of the Cuban population, such as eating rice and potatoes, are obstacles to achieving food sovereignty, as these products are not well-suited to the Cuban climate and soil.