A young content creator from the Instagram profile Realmente Cubanos approached an elderly man in rural Cuba intending to play a prank about the soaring price of oil. However, what he discovered was a poignant tale of loneliness and resilience that resonated with thousands on social media.
The creator initially planned a "hidden camera" setup where he would suggest trading a bicycle for a bit of oil. But the old man's response stopped him in his tracks: “Man, I don't even have oil for myself. I'm all alone. My daughter and wife have died.”
At 96 years old, the man lives in solitude, tending to his land without any family support. He lost both his wife and his daughter, who he described as his closest support: “She was my strong arm. You have to keep going and fight.”
The Unexpected Shift from Humor to Heartache
What was meant to be a humorous hidden camera moment transformed into a story of hardship that the world needs to hear. The reel's author shared that the video garnered over 11,000 reactions and 853 comments, illustrating its profound impact.
The 26-year-old creator admitted feeling guilty upon realizing the gravity of the situation. "When the gentleman shared his story, I felt extremely guilty for wanting to prank him, knowing he carried immense pain from 96 years of life," he noted in the reel's description.
A Reflection on Life's Struggles
At the conclusion of their encounter, the video creator asked the elderly man for a hug and pondered aloud, "Sometimes we complain about being fed up, but there's always someone worse off. Look at the story he has."
Despite his circumstances, the elderly man remained unbroken. Before they parted ways, he summed up his existence with a simple yet powerful statement: “Me, kid, 96 years and counting.”
Context of Severe Shortages
This video comes amid severe shortages in Cuba, where cooking oil has become one of the hardest items to find in 2026. With the removal of price caps for imported cooking oils, prices soared from around 1,500 pesos in April to over 2,500 pesos in Havana by July, reaching between 4,000 and 5,000 pesos in some areas by early August.
Even the Minister of Food Industry, Alberto López Díaz, acknowledged that no oil had been distributed through the rationing system throughout 2026.
For a nearly centenarian man living alone in the countryside and relying on his crops, such a basic necessity is entirely out of reach.
The Guantánamo government set a reference price of 2,200 pesos per unit on Tuesday, though this was not a mandatory cap.
Widespread Elderly Hardship in Cuba
The elderly man's story is not unique. In recent months, social media has seen testimonies from other elderly Cubans facing abandonment. These include a 92-year-old woman begging on the streets and an 83-year-old man in Ciego de Ávila who had gone days without eating.
Understanding Cuba's Elderly Crisis
What prompted the content creator to visit the elderly man?
The creator visited the elderly man with the intention of filming a prank about the high cost of oil, but instead uncovered a poignant story of the man's solitary life.
How has the price of oil changed in Cuba?
Following the removal of price caps, the cost of oil in Cuba has skyrocketed, reaching between 4,000 and 5,000 pesos in some areas by August 2026.
What impact did the video have on social media?
The video struck a chord with many, gathering over 11,000 reactions and 853 comments, highlighting the emotional depth of the elderly man's story.