The Cuban social media personality, La Cintumbare, whose real name is Cinthya Medrano García, recently sparked a heated discussion online with a video she shared on Instagram. In the video, she expressed her preference for Cuban food over American cuisine, criticizing the latter as "plastic" and lacking any nutritional value.
The video was a response to followers who commented on her noticeable weight loss. Rather than being concerned, she embraced the change, attributing it to her personal decision to get in shape.
"I'm thin because I wanted to be a fitness girl. I wanted to be fit. That's why I decided to lose weight," she declared in the video.
She didn't mince words regarding American food: "I came back very overweight from the United States with all that plastic food they sell there. The food is terrible. That American food is plastic. It serves no purpose other than to make people gain weight."
She added, "I prefer eating food here in Cuba. No matter how bad it is, it's better than the food in the United States."
Despite her assertions, the response from her audience was largely skeptical and filled with concern. Hundreds of comments suggest a narrative quite different from the fitness journey she claims.
Some followers pointed out sounds in the video that are associated with drug use, specifically a can used to smoke crack, known locally in Cuba as "piedra." One concerned commenter wrote, "I know you won't listen, but you're using piedra. The sound in the first three seconds is from the can. Stop, get out of there."
Others were more blunt: "Folks, piedra kills your appetite" and "She says she's into fitness. That’s just hunger."
Among the more extensive messages, one reminded her of her parental responsibilities: "You are a mother. You have a child who needs you to be present, healthy, and strong. [...] If you are indeed using crack or struggling with addiction, please seek professional help."
Another follower linked her current state to the emotional blow of her forced return to the island: "In my opinion, being deported affected her greatly. It’s also hard to cope with going from having a car, money, and good meals to having nothing."
Comments on her weight loss gained traction after Cuban singer Ja Rulay warned her about the consequences of drug use. La Cintumbare had posted a video responding to critics accusing her of using crack.
La Cintumbare was deported back to Cuba in February 2025 by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after failing to attend an immigration hearing in October 2023, which led to an in-absentia deportation order. She returned on a repatriation flight and has continued to maintain a controversial presence on social media ever since.
Understanding La Cintumbare's Controversy and Deportation
What prompted La Cintumbare's weight loss?
La Cintumbare attributed her weight loss to a personal decision to become more fit, as she expressed a desire to be a "fitness girl."
Why was La Cintumbare deported from the United States?
She was deported by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for failing to attend a scheduled immigration hearing, resulting in a deportation order issued in her absence.
How has La Cintumbare's audience reacted to her statements?
Her audience has responded with skepticism and concern, with many suspecting drug use and urging her to seek help, despite her claims of pursuing fitness goals.