A content creator took to the bustling Paseo del Prado, located in the heart of Havana, to pose a straightforward question to passersby: "When I say 'United States', what's the first thing that comes to your mind?"
The responses, captured in a video shared on Facebook by VictorG Youtuber, reveal a tapestry of aspirations, frustrations, and contradictions that mirror the sentiments of a segment of the Cuban population.
The term most frequently echoed in the responses is "prosperity." Following closely are terms like food, clothing, freedom, and employment. Several individuals immediately cite the lack of power outages, water shortages, and gas scarcity as the most tangible benefits they associate with living to the north.
"It's a complete change. The electricity stays on, the water flows, and there's always gas," one interviewee summarizes. Another puts it more succinctly: "As long as it's not here, everything's fine."
A young man ties the U.S. to the culture he consumes: McDonald's, Travis Scott, trap, and drill music. A young woman confides that her dream is to become a Hollywood actress and visit New York City. Another individual encapsulates decades of aspirations with a single phrase: "The American dream—freedom, work, money, home, car—everything rich, everything prosperous."
Not all reactions are full of admiration. An older man downplays the difference: "The United States is a country just like Cuba. What happens there happens here too... the big fish eats the little one there, here, and everywhere."
Another individual states that he doesn't favor the U.S. government, though he adds, "To anyone who wants to go there, I wish you success and God's blessings." A third person refuses the idea of living there due to "political complexity," yet acknowledges the country's development.
Some respond with humor. When asked, one interviewee quips, "You've got to laugh to keep from crying." The video concludes with a voice that bluntly states: "Freedom, progress, capitalism, so many good things we can't achieve here."
The footage was recorded during one of Cuba's worst energy crises in decades. By 2025, the electrical generation shortfall frequently exceeded 1,700 megawatts, resulting in blackouts lasting over 20 hours a day in some provinces. Food, fuel, and medicine shortages remain chronic, and the migration exodus shows no sign of stopping.
According to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, by 2025, 78% of those surveyed in Cuba expressed a desire to emigrate or knew someone who did, with 30% naming the U.S. as their preferred destination. An independent survey conducted in May 2026, with over 42,000 valid responses, revealed that 60.9% of participants supported a direct U.S. military intervention in Cuba.
The perception of the U.S. among island Cubans is a complex mix of anti-American sentiment fueled by decades of official propaganda, genuine desires to emigrate, and a fascination with American pop culture. Miami frequently appears in the video as a recurring symbol, so much so that one interviewee sums it up as: "Miami is Cuba."
For a young student still in Cuba, the decision is already made: "As soon as I graduate," he says, with his eyes set on the other side of the strait.
Understanding Cuban Sentiments about the United States
What are the main associations Cubans have with the United States?
Cubans often associate the United States with prosperity, food, clothing, freedom, and job opportunities. Some also mention the absence of blackouts and shortages.
How do cultural influences impact Cuban views of the U.S.?
Cultural influences such as fast food chains, music artists, and Hollywood are significant factors in shaping positive perceptions of the U.S. among younger Cubans.
What challenges is Cuba currently facing that affect public opinion?
Cuba is grappling with a severe energy crisis, chronic shortages of essentials like food and medicine, and a high rate of emigration, all of which impact public opinion and aspirations.