A brief 14-second clip captured behind the scenes of an interview for the Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo triggered a wave of mockery and outrage on social media this past Sunday. The footage shows Lis Cuesta Peraza using her saliva to style the hair of Miguel Díaz-Canel, while the Cuban leader beams at the cameras.
The video, released by Folha's own channel as pre-interview material, depicts Cuesta smoothing Díaz-Canel's gray hair with saliva-moistened fingers. During the scene, she joked, “I’m going to patent the product,” referring to her saliva as a hair gel.
Reactions poured in swiftly. Journalist José Raúl Gallego shared the clip, capturing the sentiment of many: “What you’re about to see is neither artificial intelligence nor an imperialist fabrication; it is the start of Díaz-Canel's interview published today by the Brazilian outlet Folha de S.Paulo. This reflects 'the class' and the sheer lack of common sense of those managing Cuba.”
Gallego added with irony: “Not even a cow gives that much saliva to a newborn calf.”
Under the hashtag #TanteandoCuba, José L. Tan Estrada wrote: “If you thought you’d seen it all, here comes Lis Cuesta styling Díaz-Canel’s hair with saliva.” His post garnered over 1,500 views and was shared 297 times.
Eliecer Ávila, activist and founder of the movement #Somos+, also circulated the clip, commenting: “Lis Cuesta styles Díaz-Canel’s gray hair with her saliva for an interview with Brazilian journalist Mônica Bergamo.”
The Broader Context of an Unusual Scene
The stark contrast between the domestic scene and its context amplified the clip's impact. The interview background focused on Cuba's most severe crisis in decades: an electricity generation shortfall exceeding 2,411 MW on August 5—a historical record—only one oil tanker received in seven months, over 98,000 patients waiting for surgeries, and a healthcare system covering just 30% of its essential medications.
In that same interview, Díaz-Canel expressed deep concern for the Cuban people's plight, stating he owns no properties or bank accounts. When asked if he fears sharing Nicolás Maduro's fate—captured by U.S. forces in January 2026—he replied, “If it comes, it comes. But it will not be with weakness, it will not be with cowardice, it will be fighting, fighting.”
Lis Cuesta's Controversial Presence
This isn't the first time Lis Cuesta has stirred controversy online. In June 2026, the U.S. included her in the OFAC sanctions list, making her the first spouse of a Cuban leader to receive a direct U.S. sanction. She responded with sarcasm.
For many users, the saliva styling video became an unintended emblem of the chasm between the ruling couple's projected image and the everyday reality faced by millions of Cubans.
Social Media Reactions to Lis Cuesta's Saliva Styling
What was the reaction to Lis Cuesta's styling method?
The reaction was a mix of mockery and outrage, with many taking to social media to criticize the lack of decorum and common sense demonstrated by the Cuban leadership.
Why did the video of Lis Cuesta attract so much attention?
The video attracted attention due to the unusual nature of the act, the public persona of the individuals involved, and the stark contrast with the serious issues facing Cuba.