A woman from Trinidad, located in the Sancti Spíritus province of Cuba, has captured widespread attention with a viral Facebook video. Her footage shows the unchecked price hikes she encountered at an agricultural fair, illustrating the desperation felt by millions of Cubans facing relentless inflation.
"I just got back from the fair, folks, and it's unbelievable. How can prices rise so much in just two days?" questioned Yamila Emprende Onli, the creator of the video posted on Sunday. The video quickly amassed over 527,000 views, nearly 19,000 likes, and close to 1,800 comments in under 48 hours.
Yamila detailed the staggering prices she encountered: a sack of charcoal priced at 3,500 Cuban pesos, local rice—"not even top quality"—at 250 pesos, and a 950-milliliter bottle of oil ranging from 1,800 to 2,000 pesos, depending on the stall.
These figures are daunting when compared to the average state salary, which is about 6,930 pesos per month, equivalent to roughly $13 at the informal exchange rate. Just the sack of charcoal alone amounts to half of this monthly wage.
The Paradox of Charcoal in Cuba
Charcoal presents a striking paradox: while Cuba exports this resource extensively to Europe—earning $61.8 million in 2023, as its sixth-largest export—millions of Cubans rely on it for cooking due to prolonged blackouts and gas shortages, pushing its domestic price upward.
The video emerges amid a backdrop of escalating inflation.
As of May 2026, Cuba's official year-over-year inflation rate reached 15.89%, marking the highest level since May of the previous year. The cumulative inflation for the year up to that month was 9.16%, surpassing the 7.45% recorded in the same period of 2025.
On Sunday, the informal market exchange rates saw the U.S. dollar trading at 660 Cuban pesos and the euro at 760, which directly impacts the prices of imported goods like oil.
Economic Strain Deepens
On June 4, a basic grocery trip at a Cuban fair totaled 21,060 pesos, more than three times the average monthly salary, further highlighting the ongoing crisis.
Yamila didn't stop at discussing prices. "I don't know what's going to happen to the Cuban people when over 90% of the population is unemployed. Everything seems like it's under a curfew. There's nothing here; nothing is working at the moment," she remarked.
While the 90% figure is an exaggeration, independent estimates suggest the real unemployment rate in Sancti Spíritus is around 45%, starkly contrasting the regime's official report of 1.2%, a figure independent economists find implausible.
The video was released just two days after Miguel Díaz-Canel announced a series of economic reforms aimed at liberalizing parts of the economy, reducing subsidies, and opening avenues for foreign currency. However, these measures have yet to produce any immediate market changes.
"If you have a relative, take a picture of them, because it seems like when they come, they'll say: 'no, you...,'" concluded Yamila, encapsulating the rapidly declining living conditions in Cuba more effectively than any statistic.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
Why is inflation so high in Cuba?
Cuba's high inflation is driven by a combination of factors, including economic mismanagement by the government, scarcity of goods, and external economic pressures. The lack of foreign investment and currency, along with the effects of international sanctions, exacerbate these issues.
How do Cubans cope with rising prices?
Many Cubans rely on remittances from family abroad, engage in informal trade, or participate in the black market to cope with rising prices. Community support networks also play a crucial role in helping individuals access basic necessities.
What impact do government reforms have on the economy?
While reforms aim to liberalize the economy and attract foreign currency, their impact has been limited due to slow implementation and ongoing systemic challenges. Many changes have not yet translated into tangible improvements for the Cuban people.