Cuban shows "the errands" from the bodega and sparks a debate about poverty on the island

A young Cuban has shaken TikTok with a video showing what she purchased through the rationing system. The scene, as mundane as it is heartbreaking, has sparked a heated debate among users both inside and outside of Cuba, many of whom are Venezuelan, regarding ongoing misery and the management of the Cuban regime.

The user @briana_matancera begins her video with the phrase: "The supplies have arrived at the store, my love… stay so you can see what came in." From inside the shop, she shows the old scale that is still in use, the "sample" products, and back at home, she displays the rice, black beans, peas, brown sugar, and a baby food for her son. Everything, she emphasizes, is for two people and for an entire month.

Astonishment and anger: the networks react strongly

More than the content itself, what has amplified the impact of the video is the flood of reactions it generated. From expressions of pain to indignant sarcasm, the comments made it clear that the situation did not go unnoticed.

"It's a misery. Then you have to pay for it, and on top of that, they limit it. Horrible," wrote one user. Another was more direct: "What a disgusting country." Comparisons with Venezuela dominated a significant part of the messages: "Those are the conchuos here," wrote a woman; "There they call them arvejas, but those come with a shell. Here they give them split," added another.

There were those who even tried to provide a didactic explanation: “Whites are called frijoles, blacks are called caraotas negras,” while others opted for dark humor: “Oh, the achievements of the revolution,” or “Everyone to the square with their beloved president.”

Many comments expressed admiration for the resilience of the Cuban people. “Friend, it’s very little. Admiration for you who survive with that,” wrote one user. “Every day gets worse. Years ago they gave more, and it wasn't enough. Can you imagine now?” reflected another.

One of the most frequently mentioned comments was the complaint about products that are supposedly received as donations but ultimately end up being sold.

"They are selling the juices that UNICEF donates to Cuba. How shameful!" stated one user. "Those yogurts come with the UNICEF seal, meaning they are donated... How horrifying!" wrote another. They even directly mentioned the international organization: "If it's from UNICEF... how shameful @UNICEF."

These claims have become frequent on social media, especially in light of the evidence of foreign labels on some foods distributed in warehouses.

Open criticism of the Cuban government

Discontent is directed not only at the distribution system but at the regime itself. “We won't escape misery while the dictatorship remains,” stated a commentator. Another one remarked sarcastically, “And yet they march and shout 'long live Fidel.'” “Life is so humiliating... and to think they want to indoctrinate us the same way here,” said a user from outside Cuba.

In other cases, despair is mixed with a silent indignation: "How sad to live like this"; "That's horrible"; "Seeing this fills me with sadness and anger, look at how they treat a people."

A notebook that no longer guarantees much of anything

Although this video has gained notoriety for its informal tone and viral reach, it is part of a long sequence of similar testimonies. In recent weeks, other Cubans have shown supply notebooks with the meat section completely empty; hygiene product deliveries after six months of waiting; and regulated bread distributed late and in poor condition.

Many agree that the system has long ceased to fulfill its original purpose. “We can throw this booklet away at any moment,” said another Cuban in a previous video, while showing empty shelves and a line for rice that had been delayed for months.

Timely deliveries and makeup for May Day

Some recent deliveries, such as the arrival of coffee after months of absence in provinces like Holguín, have been viewed as appeasement maneuvers ahead of key dates like May Day. “It seems unbelievable. Never before have so many things arrived at the store in such a short time. But May Day is coming, and they need to keep us happy,” commented a young woman in another viral video.

The contrast between the empty shelves and the patriotic decorations has led to mockery and widespread backlash on social media.

A simple testimony that reveals a deep crisis

The scene depicted by @briana_matancera is not an exception, but rather a common snapshot for millions of Cubans. An old scale, a few rationed food items, and a seemingly casual remark: "Let me know what you think of these groceries." Yet behind that light tone, the video's virality confirms an uncomfortable truth: what is routine for some is a warning for many others.

In that blend of resignation and protest, of humor and pain, not only is the material precariousness revealed, but also the emotional exhaustion of a population trapped between necessity and silence.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Crisis in Cuba