Cuban content creator Robert Evangelista has once again captivated social media users with a post that blends humor, satire, and social commentary.
His unique "Letter of the Year 2026 for Cuba" serves as a parody of the traditional Yoruba predictions that herald the start of the Afro-Cuban religious calendar each January.
In a video that has already amassed over 89,000 views, Evangelista solemnly recites a series of phrases laced with irony, where "signs," "orishas," and "sayings" become a mirror reflecting the current Cuban reality.
He begins with, “Communal Affairs are in charge, they’re not beggars, just actors in disguise,” a clear jab at the declining public services and pervasive poverty on the island.
He further elaborates on his Letter of the Year with the accompanying Sign (Itacoa I’m hungry): “It speaks of the importance of giving up rice because none of us are Japanese,” referencing a recent regime official’s remarks about the country's food production crisis.
The influencer incorporates fictitious and absurd elements to capture the public's frustration with the ongoing crisis: “Regent Orisha, Chikungunya,” and “Light a candle for the Havana Water Company because all diseases will be cured by drinking their water.”
The sayings from his unusual "sign" left no one indifferent:
The lemon is no longer the base of everything
Potatoes don’t grow in Cuba
With a pot banging, the neighbor won’t leave the neighborhood
The post concludes with a phrase many interpreted as a message of creative resistance and continuity: “It has been a tough year, but the next one will be better. If you are a good religious person, you must endure.”
Through laughter and double entendres, Evangelista manages to transform social discontent into shared humor, demonstrating that even in the darkest times, Cubans retain the ability to laugh at their own reality.
Understanding Evangelista's Satirical 2026 "Letter of the Year"
What is the significance of Evangelista's "Letter of the Year"?
Evangelista's "Letter of the Year" uses satire to critique the socio-economic challenges in Cuba, turning traditional Yoruba predictions into a humorous commentary on current issues.
How does Evangelista incorporate humor into serious topics?
Through irony and absurdity, Evangelista reflects the frustrations of Cubans, using humor to highlight the reality of life under the regime while providing a sense of shared laughter.