The Cuban comedian Mario Sardiñas, best known for his portrayal of the character Chequera, has captured the internet's attention with a viral 20-second reel. In his unique style, he humorously sheds light on the dire economic crisis gripping the nation.
In the video shared on Facebook, Chequera is shown displaying expressions of horror as he encounters scarce items in Cuba while stepping outside his home: a bottle of cooking oil, a small cylinder of liquefied gas, and a faucet flowing with abundant water.
The caption reads, "POV: you see things from beyond," cleverly satirizing the country's current hardships.
One focal point of the video is the shortage of essential items like cooking oil, which has become nearly unattainable for many Cuban families due to either its absence from store shelves or its exorbitant cost.
The Gas Crisis Intensifies
Furthermore, the scarcity of liquefied gas has left people in increasingly difficult situations when it comes to preparing meals. In July, the government raised the official price of a 10-kilogram cylinder to 350 pesos. This decision sparked outrage on social media, with Cubans highlighting the contradiction: the government is increasing the price of a product that is virtually unavailable in state-run markets.
Water Supply Woes
Chequera also targets the unreliable water supply, a service severely impacted by power outages and deteriorating infrastructure. Official data from May revealed that approximately 2.7 million Cubans lacked consistent access to potable water, while much of the remaining population received the service sporadically.
The viral video garnered over 35,000 views on the Facebook page "Chequera Vivir del cuento."
Ongoing Critique Through Comedy
Sardiñas continues to produce sketches that depict the island's everyday struggles. Last week, he turned a food tray into an Internet signal antenna in a clip that surpassed 334,000 views. Earlier this month, he cooked a "mop blanket," drawing parallels between the current situation and the hardships of the 1990s Special Period. A few days prior, he referenced three traditional sayings that have lost their relevance in Cuba: "a sleeping shrimp is taken by the current," "let the water you won't drink run," and "when the going gets tough, the tough get going."
At the end of August, a reel discussing the ingredients of Cuban oil exceeded 231,000 views.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
Why is cooking oil scarce in Cuba?
Cooking oil is scarce in Cuba due to supply shortages and high prices, making it difficult for many families to acquire this essential item.
What impact does the gas shortage have on Cuban households?
The gas shortage complicates meal preparation, as many households rely on liquefied gas for cooking. The increased prices have further exacerbated the issue.
How is the water supply situation affecting Cubans?
Irregular water supply, caused by power outages and failing infrastructure, leaves millions of Cubans without reliable access to potable water.