A Mexican tourist named Norma Estrada shared a video on Facebook documenting her tour of Havana with a Cuban guide, captured aboard a Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) bus.
The guide, unaware she was being recorded, openly conversed with her Mexican guests, revealing that "the Cuban people desire change," a sentiment now circulating on social media.
The tour wound its way through Playa, particularly the Miramar district and Fifth Avenue, known for its grand mansions, diplomatic residences, embassies, and luxury hotels. The group also explored the Havana Forest.
The Mexican tourists witnessed a side of Havana far removed from the daily struggles of ordinary Cubans. Miramar and Fifth Avenue represent a hub of foreign currency, in stark contrast to neighborhoods like Centro Habana, Cerro, or Diez de Octubre, where food shortages, extended blackouts, and urban decay prevail.
"Some say, 'Let Trump come,' but what's really wanted is change. A change for a better standard of living, because we only have one life. How long must we sacrifice? At the very least, people need food, medicine, essentials for living. But for years, there's been no improvement," the Mintur employee expressed.
She continued, "They demand sacrifices, but how many years will we live without electricity? The lack of power means no water, and hospitals can't help. It's not a six-month issue—there's no improvement. People are weary."
The Reality of Political Suppression in Cuba
The tour guide's remarks are striking given the political suppression on the island. State tourism sector workers face stringent surveillance from the regime, and voicing critical opinions can lead to job and legal repercussions.
Addressing the oppression and silence among Cubans, the guide commented, "There's a lot of animosity between Cubans abroad and those here. You see it on social media and try not to comment, because you never please anyone. Someone will always attack."
She lamented, "Many believe when Trump comes, everything will change, that jobs will be abundant, and salaries will be in dollars. But it's like the boy who cried wolf—everyone waits, but it doesn't happen. Ultimately, governments align, and the people rarely benefit."
Estrada titled her video with a phrase capturing the tour's intensity: "I hope not to bore you with Havana's history, Cuba."
Economic Hardships in Cuba
Estrada's visit coincided with one of Cuba's worst economic crises in decades. Havana operates only three active gas stations, with queues of 7,000 to 15,000 vehicles per station, and black-market gasoline prices reaching 4,000 Cuban pesos per liter, approximately eight dollars.
The average state salary in Cuba is a mere 6,830 pesos monthly, while the minimum living cost exceeds 50,000 pesos. With an informal exchange rate of about 523 pesos per dollar, a Cuban worker earns around five dollars monthly, while a doctor makes about thirty.
The tour guide shared insights on Cuba's inflation with the visitors. "Items are available, but prices are exorbitant. Not everyone can afford them. A simple lipstick can cost up to 800 pesos. Food prices constantly rise. You buy something today, and tomorrow it's much more expensive. Everything is expensive, and money is insufficient."
In another video posted Monday, Estrada showed the Malecón in Havana, describing it as "deserted," noting, "no cars, no tourists." This video garnered over 150,000 views.
The Mexican tourist acknowledged the disparity between the countries, stating, "We live very well in Mexico compared to Cuba." A Cuban commenter on one of her videos bluntly stated, "You have to scrape by to eat a meal in Havana."
In 2025, Cuba attracted only 1.81 million tourists, a 17.8% drop from 2.2 million in 2024, falling short of the official goal of 2.6 million. This decline highlights the collapse of the tourism model the regime relied on for economic salvation.
Understanding Cuba's Economic and Political Climate
What did the Cuban tour guide reveal about the current situation in Cuba?
The tour guide expressed that Cubans desire a change for a better standard of living, highlighting issues like food shortages, lack of medicine, and prolonged power outages. She also mentioned the oppression and fear of expressing dissent under the regime.
How has the economic crisis in Cuba affected daily life?
The economic crisis has led to severe shortages of basic necessities. High inflation means that even when goods are available, their prices are prohibitive for most Cubans. The informal exchange rate makes salaries equivalent to just a few dollars a month, insufficient for basic living expenses.
How does the tourism situation in Cuba reflect its economic struggles?
Tourism in Cuba has declined sharply, with the country failing to meet its visitor targets. This drop is indicative of the broader economic challenges the nation faces, undermining the regime's reliance on tourism as a key economic driver.