A 16-second video shared on Facebook by content creator Loky Kubah humorously captures the harsh reality faced by millions of Cubans each month: prices like 1,800 pesos for oil, 1,500 for coal, 900 pesos per kilogram of sugar, 300 pesos per pound of rice, and 3,000 pesos for a carton of eggs, all while earning a monthly salary of merely 2,500 pesos.
"This can't be right, this is my moisture, this can't be right, it just can't be," the creator sarcastically repeats, sparking an immediate reaction with around a thousand comments within hours.
Economic Measures Amidst Public Skepticism
The video surfaced during a period of heightened tension. On June 19, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz presented to the National Assembly a set of 176 economic measures that will raise the minimum wage to 3,210 pesos starting July 1.
The public response was one of irony and resignation, as the informal exchange rate on June 20—693 pesos to the dollar—meant this salary equals just $4.65 per month.
Regional Disparities and Public Discontent
Comments on the video reveal that the situation varies and worsens across provinces. "In Camagüey, coal is 4,000 pesos," one user noted. In response, another from Havana wrote, "You're underestimating the price of sugar because here it's already 1,000 pesos per kilogram." A third person described her area: "Oil 1,800, sugar per pound 400, rice 330 per pound, and coal 3,500 or 4,000 and it's scarce."
The most frequently cited reference on social media was the carton of eggs, which can cost between 3,000 and 4,000 pesos in the informal market, potentially exceeding the entire minimum wage.
Wage Discrepancies and Economic Strain
"The ones who are wrong are those who set that amount as a salary," another commenter declared. "And we go crazy doing the math, and it just doesn't add up," summarized another user.
The gap between income and prices is neither new nor coincidental. Economist Javier Pérez Capdevila calculated that an individual requires about 96,060 pesos monthly for basic expenses, with 70,070 pesos needed just for food.
The official newspaper Invasor recently admitted that wages are "the main source of discontent" among Cuban workers.
Meanwhile, union leader Edilberto Acosta Ramos warned that "wage issues lead to serious consequences such as demotivation, labor indiscipline, and the exodus of skilled and experienced individuals."
This exodus is already evident: over 24,000 teaching positions were vacant at the start of the 2025-2026 school year, and more than 24,000 workers have left the health system.
Additional Economic Pressures
In the meantime, the dollar in the informal market is nearing the 700-peso mark, after rising by 108 pesos just in June, a more than 18% increase in 20 days.
The latest blow came on June 18, when leader Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that the basic ration will no longer be universal and will be limited to retirees, families with chronically ill children, and vulnerable individuals, marking the largest reduction in rationing since its inception in 1962.
The irony is that retirees, the only group retaining this benefit, receive a minimum pension of 3,056 pesos monthly—less than nine dollars—compared to a basic basket for two people that cost between 39,595 and 41,735 pesos per month in Havana in 2025.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Crisis
What are the current economic challenges facing Cubans?
Cubans are grappling with soaring prices for basic goods, such as food and fuel, alongside meager salaries that do not meet living expenses. This disparity is exacerbated by high inflation and a volatile informal market exchange rate.
How has the Cuban government responded to the economic crisis?
The government announced a package of 176 economic measures, including raising the minimum wage, but public response has been skeptical due to persistent inflation and the inadequacy of these measures to match real living costs.
What impact does the economic situation have on Cuban society?
The economic difficulties have led to widespread discontent, demotivation, and an exodus of skilled workers from sectors such as education and healthcare, further straining these essential services.