A Cuban woman living abroad recently returned to Cuba, only to have an unexpected story to share within hours of her arrival. The person responsible for preparing her welcome meal sent her the bone and kept the meat for themselves. This incident was described as "a total disrespect" by the TikTok user @danycubanitashop in a video shared on Monday.
She recounted how a friend had organized a meal to welcome her back, featuring "pork loin with yucca salad." However, upon inspecting the order, they realized they had been deceived: the individual who prepared or delivered the meal had decided to keep the meat and only send the bone.
"The person who was supposed to provide that service decided to send us the bone instead and kept the meat at home, claiming we didn't need it," the Cuban woman expressed in a 31-second clip.
Advice for Travelers to Cuba
The issue initially went unnoticed because her friend "only checked the food from the outside" and didn't spot the deception in time. In response to the incident, the woman issued a stark warning to those planning to travel to Cuba: "Don't trust anyone, break everything, and check your stuff thoroughly, because people are really sneaky."
She concluded the video with a reflection on the financial burden of visiting the island: "Everyone knows that money doesn't fall from the sky, not in China, not in Japan, not in the United States, and certainly not in Cuba."
The Broader Context of Scarcity in Cuba
This incident is not an isolated case. By 2026, meat has become nearly unattainable for most Cubans. In June, regime officials acknowledged that the rationed basket had not included chicken, oil, or yogurt for the entire year, and children in Havana had gone over two months without receiving meat or ground beef through ration booklets.
The domestic production of pork plummeted by 95% between 2018 and 2023, and in the informal market, five pounds of pork could cost around 5,400 Cuban pesos, equating to 78% of the average state monthly salary. In such an economic climate, taking the best part of someone else's order highlights the island's financial desperation.
Recurring Stories of Deception
@danycubanitashop's experience adds to a growing trend on social media: Cuban expatriates returning to the island and documenting scams, frauds, and shortages. Recently, another Cuban woman shared her negative experience upon returning, while creator @melicapote recounted on July 3 that during her 14-day stay in Cuba, she couldn't name a single day without an incident.
Similar reports of scams and spoiled food in private restaurants and businesses across the island have been documented on multiple occasions, from Matanzas to Havana, in a country where 96.91% of the population lacks adequate access to food, according to 2026 data.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Hardships
What challenges do travelers face when visiting Cuba?
Travelers may encounter scams, shortages, and poor-quality services due to Cuba's ongoing economic hardships.
Why is meat so scarce in Cuba?
Meat scarcity is due to a dramatic decline in domestic pork production and insufficient distribution through the rationing system.
How do Cubans cope with food shortages?
Cubans often rely on the informal market, where prices are significantly higher, or on remittances from relatives abroad to obtain food.