Cuban comedian and content creator Karel Morlans Alemán has captured attention on Instagram with a viral video that cleverly illustrates a common reality on the island: "The magnesium doesn't fall off."
In the video, Karel shares that he has been without electricity for 23 hours and needs to heat water in a pot to bathe. In Havana, the water's hardness causes pots, frequently used to boil water, to gradually accumulate a thick layer of magnesium sediment. Eventually, these sediments break off into small chunks at the bottom.
"This is the pot I use to heat water for my bath. Most of you forgot because you've left the country, but those of us still here keep warming our water with this," Karel states while showing his old kettle to the camera.
Unable to use it as is, he takes to the street to knock off the incrustations. What follows is the core of the video.
"I go outside and start banging it to get the magnesium to fall off, and at that hour, all the neighbors come out to join me," he narrates, describing how the entire neighborhood joins in chanting, "Let it fall, let it fall!"
The double entendre is unmistakable to any Cuban. Nightly pot-banging protests have spread across the island since early March 2026, where citizens beat their pots from balconies and streets, demanding an end to blackouts and the regime's downfall.
The young comedian wraps up the video with a mix of humor and resignation: "The magnesium doesn’t fall. So, you know, just another day."
Understanding Everyday Challenges in Cuba
What does "the magnesium doesn't fall off" signify in the video?
The phrase "the magnesium doesn't fall off" is a metaphor for the persistent problems in Cuba, highlighting the resilience and humor with which Cubans face daily challenges.
How do Cubans protest against blackouts?
Cubans protest against blackouts by engaging in nightly pot-banging demonstrations, where citizens hit pots from their balconies and streets to voice their dissatisfaction and demand change.