The colorful houses, the old convertibles and the paradisiacal beaches are just one side of Cuba, the one that appears on postcards. The reality is far from that idyllic image: empty shelves in supermarkets, overcrowded housing and constant power outages. Inflation has soared to the point that filling up a gas tank or buying a carton of eggs exceeds a Cuban’s minimum wage.
“The streets are full of potholes, drivers constantly complain regarding their cars breaking down,” says Manuel, a 61-year-old citizen who has spent more than half his life opposing the regime. “Public lighting is almost non-existent. The curious thing is that it is small and medium-sized businesses that light the streets. The government, for its part, announced a plan to “electricity rationing to save energy” adds.
The lack of electricity, water and decent housing are pressing problems on the island“Up to four generations can live in the same house. It is normal. They share a bathroom as if it were a public one,” Manuel explains. However, the biggest problem is the shortage of food. “There is no fruit or vegetables. They give us five eggs per person per month. The salary is not enough for the first fifteen days of the month. We cannot even buy soap, shampoo or oil.” denounces Maria Elena, another opponent of the regime.
Cuba is going through its worst economic crisis in 30 years. The 2020 pandemic, falling wages, reduced imports and rampant inflation have created a bleak outlook. In March alone, the price of gasoline has increased by 400%.
Michel, exiled in Madrid for two decades and a journalist at Diario de Cuba, says that “The international community is tired of the situation in Cuba. They have gone 60 years – since the revolution led by Fidel and Raúl Castro in 1959 – without making any progress.” In fact, he says the situation has worsened since his departure in the 1990s: “Back then, people who had access to dollars or other foreign currencies might buy some products. Now even tourists visiting the island can’t find food in hotels.”
Cuba is in a critical situation, with a population suffering the ravages of a ruined economy. Shortages, precariousness and lack of freedom are the daily bread for Cubans, who watch helplessly as their country crumbles before their eyes.
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