A young Cuban known as Sentelemald took to TikTok to showcase his morning routine of purchasing breakfast products, a venture that ended up costing him nearly 2,000 Cuban pesos.
In the video shared this week, the content creator documents his journey from leaving his home to returning with his purchases. "Well family, I just woke up and I'm heading out to get my breakfast," @sentelemald narrates at the start, as he strolls through a neighborhood in Havana.
Throughout his outing, he visits multiple MIPYMES and notes that the first shop he visited had exorbitantly high prices. "I went to buy mayonnaise there, but it was too expensive, a tiny little jar for over 1,000 pesos," he remarks. He eventually finds a more affordable option: "This mayonnaise cost 850 pesos."
Upon returning home, he displays his purchases: a small bag of bread, two packs of sausages, and the mayonnaise. "Just these two packs of sausages, this mayonnaise, and this little bag of bread totaled nearly 2,000 pesos," he points out at the end of the video.
The post, available on his TikTok account, sparked a debate among viewers about the disparity between official exchange rates and those on the informal market. Comments included expressions of shock at the expense: "So you spent half a salary on that little amount you bought?" The creator himself responded, stating, "The standard salary here in Cuba in the state sector is 3,000 - 4,000 pesos monthly."
The video also prompted reflections on the daily challenges faced on the island and the economic hardships endured by its residents. Some social media users lamented how "tough everything is" or how "impossible it is to live like this," while others offered words of support: "Stay strong, brother," "Keep your spirits up," or "Hopefully, everything changes soon."
Sentelemald has previously shared on social media how he navigates life after being deported from Sweden in 2024, where he spent over a decade. In a past account, he described his return to Cuba as fraught with power outages and difficulties, yet he affirmed his commitment to staying active and working "without stealing from anyone."
The conversation stirred by the new video comes amidst significant monetary instability. As reported this Wednesday, the euro reached 510 Cuban pesos and the dollar 470 on the informal market, impacting consumer prices in MIPYMES and private businesses.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
Why is the cost of basic goods so high in Cuba?
The high cost of basic goods in Cuba is largely due to economic instability, including the disparity between official and informal exchange rates, which affects consumer prices significantly.
How do exchange rates impact everyday life in Cuba?
Exchange rates influence the cost of living as they determine the price of imported goods and services. When rates fluctuate, it can lead to increased costs for consumers, affecting their purchasing power.