A recent Facebook post by Cubadebate promoting the TV program "Cuadrando la Caja" has sparked significant backlash among Cubans. The episode discussed the condition of the global working class, the effects of "imperialist wars," and Trump's trade war on workers worldwide. However, many Cubans were quick to highlight the irony of addressing international workers' issues while Cuban laborers endure severe poverty.
The show is hosted by Marxlenin Pérez Valdés, a doctor in Philosophical Sciences and a Marxism lecturer at the University of Havana. Her name itself pays tribute to Marx and Lenin. The post featured an image of a protest in Spain with banners opposing Trump, Zionism, and NATO and posed questions like, "What is the current state of the international working class?"
Cubans responded swiftly and sharply. One user commented, "Forget about the international working class and take care of ours." Another noted, "Workers in any other country earn more than in Cuba." A third was more blunt: "Cuban workers are in the worst situation in the last 67 years."
The statistics support this outrage. The average monthly salary in Cuba is merely 6,685 pesos, roughly equal to $16 at the official exchange rate, while living costs exceed 50,000 pesos per month, according to economist Javier Pérez Capdevila. The minimum wage doesn't even reach five dollars, and the average salary only meets about 13% of basic needs.
Numerous commentators also targeted GAESA, the military's business conglomerate. One asked, "When will you use GAESA's 18 billion to buy fuel and renovate the entire electrical system of Cuba?" The conglomerate amasses this wealth without accountability to Parliament or any oversight body, while the nation suffers power outages lasting up to 15 hours daily.
The post surfaced just days after May 1st, 2026, when the regime marked Workers' Day with a militaristic event at the Anti-imperialist Tribune—instead of the Plaza de la Revolución, citing "austerity"—with low attendance. Slogans included "To die for the homeland is to live."
Marxlenin Pérez Valdés is no stranger to controversy. In December 2025, she labeled critics of food shortages as "worms" and suggested cutting back on rice and potatoes because they aren't native products. By March 2026, she embarked on a tour of 18 Spanish cities to defend the regime to European leftist groups.
"You are the biggest impact on the working class; you've ruined a country and its people. The Cubans should be your concern, hypocrites," commented one user, capturing the widespread sentiment toward a post that, for many Cubans, accurately depicts the double standards of 67 years of dictatorship.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
What is the average salary in Cuba?
The average monthly salary in Cuba is approximately 6,685 pesos, which is about $16 at the official exchange rate.
How does the cost of living compare to salaries in Cuba?
The cost of living in Cuba exceeds 50,000 pesos per month, while the average salary covers only about 13% of basic needs.
What is GAESA, and why is it controversial?
GAESA is a conglomerate controlled by the Cuban military, with significant financial resources. It is controversial because it operates without transparency or oversight, while Cuba faces severe economic hardships.