Cuban comedian Mario Sardiñas, famous for portraying Chequera on the show "Vivir del cuento," shared a humorous video on Facebook where he constructs a makeshift antenna using a food tray. This sketch humorously highlights Cuba's dual struggles: the lack of food and communication access.
In the video, his niece questions his activity, to which he replies, "Sorry, I'm making an antenna." When she points out the unusual choice of material—"An antenna with a food tray?"—Chequera quips back, "Yes, niece, let's see if anything comes in. I've been without a signal for days."
The clip succinctly captures a reality that resonates with many Cubans: repurposing a meal tray as a communication tool because neither food nor connectivity is guaranteed on the island.
Resourceful Solutions in Response to Scarcity
This inventive use of homemade antennas is more than just a joke; it's a documented practice in Cuba. In April 2026, a Cuban grandfather crafted an antenna from aluminum cans and coaxial cable to boost 4G reception. Previously, in Holguín, residents used pressure cooker lids as reflectors to enhance coverage, and since late 2023, videos have circulated showing people placing phones inside modified plastic bottles for better signal.
Chequera's Satirical Take on the Cuban Crisis
Sardiñas' latest sketch is part of a continuing series that satirizes the Cuban crisis in 2026. On September 8, Chequera cooked a "mop cloth," drawing parallels to the hardships of the 1990s Special Period, in a video that garnered over 35,000 views. Just four days prior, he humorously critiqued outdated Cuban sayings—like "a sleeping shrimp gets carried away by the current"—in a clip with more than 64,000 views.
In August, he turned "kitipón" into a viral song about recurring four-hour blackouts for ten minutes of electricity.
Grim Statistics Behind the Humor
The satirical character reflects a grim reality. According to the Food Monitor Program, 96.91% of Cubans lack adequate food access, and 33.9% of households reported at least one person went to bed hungry in the 30 days before the May 2026 survey. Cooking oil prices skyrocketed to between 4,000 and 7,000 Cuban pesos per bottle in August, amid an estimated annual inflation rate of 70%.
Although "Vivir del cuento" is no longer on Cuban television, Sardiñas remains active on social media, creating brief reels that serve as a barometer of daily life on the island. His new video has amassed over 23,000 views and 1,000 reactions, indicating how much the image of someone seeking a signal with nothing but an empty tray resonates with Cubans.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Communication Challenges
Why is a food tray used as an antenna in Cuba?
In Cuba, due to the lack of reliable telecommunication infrastructure, people often resort to creative solutions like using a food tray as an antenna to improve signal reception.
What are some other examples of resourcefulness in Cuba?
Cubans have crafted antennas from aluminum cans, used pressure cooker lids as signal reflectors, and modified plastic bottles to enhance phone reception.
How does Mario Sardiñas address the Cuban crisis through humor?
Mario Sardiñas uses his character, Chequera, to satirize the Cuban crisis by highlighting the struggles with everyday life, from food shortages to power outages, in a humorous manner.