A humorous video by Cuban content creator Leidyta FreeSoul has taken Facebook by storm, humorously highlighting the scarcity faced by many in Cuba. The clip shows her mother's attempt at preparing a lunch of "rice with meat," where the promised meat is conspicuously missing.
This 38-second video has amassed over 351,000 views, 24,269 likes, and 1,737 comments, resonating with countless Cubans who encounter similar situations daily.
As the camera focuses on the dish, the young woman repeatedly exclaims, "Rice with meat, Mom," searching fruitlessly for the elusive meat.
She quips about the rice and missing meat, "It seems they're socially distanced from each other, like there's a restraining order," before concluding with a phrase that's become meme-worthy: "Is it lying time already? The Cuban edition."
Reality of Scarcity in Cuban Households
The term "Cuban edition" perfectly encapsulates the reality faced by millions of families on the island, who experience downgraded versions of dishes that, elsewhere, would include their fundamental ingredients.
This scenario is far from anecdotal. In Cuba, having meat on the table has become a luxury beyond the reach of most families. Ground meat, the least expensive option, costs 300 Cuban pesos (CUP) per pound, chicken runs up to 500 CUP per pound, and pork can reach a staggering 1,500 CUP per pound, in a nation where the state minimum wage hovers around 4,000-5,000 CUP per month.
Plummeting Pork Production Exacerbates the Crisis
Recent reports highlight the collapse of Cuba's pork production, falling from 200,000 tons annually in 2018 to a meager 9,000 tons by 2026. This drastic reduction has driven up prices and left tables devoid of animal protein.
Leidyta FreeSoul's video is part of a wave of viral content that uses humor to shed light on the ongoing food crisis. One video shows a Cuban woman displaying the stale bread from her local store, reaching over 325,900 views, while another highlights a community enduring over three weeks without rationed bread.
Additionally, influencer Lino García, known as "El Creador Cubano," shared a video of himself tearfully expressing his hunger, which garnered more than 622,000 views on Facebook. The comments made it clear: "The people are starving, and the government has taken everything away."
Humor as a Coping Mechanism Amid Hardships
Even the most absurd humor reflects the dire situation: a video of a pig pulling a man in a wheelchair as an "alternative transportation" method exceeded a million views, with comments noting, "Seeing pigs is a sign of wealth."
Surveys conducted in 2026 reveal that 70% of Cubans skip daily meals, and 80% perceive the current conditions as worse than the Special Period of the 1990s, following the USSR's collapse, which plunged the island into a devastating crisis.
In Cuba, humor remains a way to express the unspoken: in the "Cuban edition" of lunch, the meat has long been absent.
FAQs about Food Scarcity in Cuba
Why is meat so scarce in Cuba?
Meat is scarce in Cuba due to the collapse of local pork production and high prices of imported meats, making it unaffordable for most families.
How do Cubans cope with food shortages?
Cubans often use humor to cope with food shortages, sharing comedic videos and memes that highlight their struggles while also serving as a form of social commentary.