Psychologist's Insight Sparks Social Media Buzz: Embracing Cuban Identity, Rejecting "Cubaneo"

A Cuban psychologist has ignited a spirited discussion on social media with an Instagram reel where she distinctly separates two concepts: she takes pride in "Cuban identity" while unequivocally rejecting "cubaneo." The video garnered hundreds of comments, becoming a focal point for intense exchanges among her Cuban followers.

The creator, who manages the account @guapaspordentro_psicologia, was direct in her message: "I love Cuban identity, I despise cubaneo. There, I’ve said it, I feel relieved. I detest the erosion of values in our society, a lingering effect of 60 years of communism."

In her view, these six decades under a communist regime have driven the populace to focus on survival above all else, neglecting basic civility and respect for others: "60 years where people have been just surviving, and certain values have taken a backseat. Basic respect for others, being a good citizen."

Questioning Social Decay

In the video, she questions when it became acceptable to forgo basic politeness: "When did it become okay not to treat others with simple respect? Like saying sir, ma'am, good afternoon, thank you, would you be so kind."

Her criticism extends beyond those still living on the island. In the reel's description, she clarifies that her remarks are directed "especially at many Cubans who have left the island but still carry poor manners," a point that sparked particularly strong reactions among the Cuban diaspora.

Cuban Culture vs. "Cubaneo"

Simultaneously, the psychologist makes it clear that her disdain does not apply to Cuban cultural identity as a whole: "I love our Cuban identity, I love that we speak loudly, that we're incredibly joyful, I love our dancing, our sense of humor. But I detest the human degradation in which Cuban society finds itself."

In her perspective, "cubaneo" is not a geographical issue but a cultural one, accompanying those who emigrate. This notion prompted the most comments, turning a brief video into a challenging reflection for Cubans both at home and abroad.

Among those who supported her view, some followers expressed feeling fully aligned with her sentiments. "You put into words what I feel. I love Cuban identity, can't stand cubaneo," one person commented. Another stated, "I've never identified so much with another Cuban. Completely agree." Others directly linked the decline in manners to decades of crisis: "People think removing the homelessness from power will solve everything, but what Cuba needs is a complete social and cultural overhaul," noted another comment.

However, not everyone agreed that the phenomenon can solely be attributed to the Cuban system. "Lack of values is not exclusive to communism; it's a human issue," one user pointed out, while another warned, "You have a grave misconception. Cubaneo isn't about Castroism." Some offered nuanced views, like the comment suggesting that "the anthropological damage of communism includes value loss, but the issue is more complex," indicating that even among those who agree with the diagnosis, there is debate over its causes.

The video emerges at a time when Cuba's social fabric's decline is being documented from various perspectives. Roxanne Castellanos Cabrera, a Doctor of Psychological Sciences, warned in July 2026 that aggression is becoming normalized in Cuba "as a means of handling life," a phenomenon she directly linked to the survival logic imposed by ongoing crises.