A Cuban pigeon enthusiast recently captured the attention of social media after sharing a video that details the operation of an organized network of carrier pigeons in Cuba. The video has sparked a mix of sarcastic and outraged reactions from users online.
In the brief one-minute clip, which was posted on the official page of Songo La Maya's government in Santiago de Cuba, the man explains to a group of military personnel from the regime a system where pigeon breeders exchange birds between various locations—such as San Mundo del Crucero and Alto Zongo—to ensure messages are delivered to their intended recipients.
The man describes what he calls a “complex and sophisticated system” of messaging, where a pigeon is released from a pre-determined point and is then collected at its destination by another person who delivers the message to the final recipient.
This system relies on a reciprocal exchange: each pigeon breeder sends their birds to a counterpart in a different part of the country, who reciprocates the gesture. "I take this pigeon, send 20 of my pigeons to Zongo. That person sends 20 back here," he explains.
In urgent situations, the birds are distributed among all members to extend coverage: "From my group, I send five so that legally all the pigeons of the breeders are spread out, ensuring that wherever the message needs to be sent, the pigeon will reach its destination."
The video has garnered over 31,000 views and numerous comments, mostly sarcastic, with users interpreting the explanation as evidence of the collapse of communications on the island. Reactions range from dark humor to resignation, with several users noting that in the 21st century, Cubans are turning to 19th-century communication methods.
Nai Zald commented, "It's amazing, the same method as in World War I." Dayan Montero Vazquez humorously added, "Remember, the Americans have the imperial eagle, which coincidentally has a great fondness for pigeons, they love them."
Randy Alfonso continued the mockery: "What connection speed do the mutts have and how much RAM do the show pigeons possess?" Jorge Luis Gonzalez noted, "For 67 years, the whole world moved forward, and in that same amount of time, we went backward."
The video's timing is no coincidence. Cuba is enduring one of its worst energy and communication crises in recent history, with daily widespread blackouts crippling the National Energy System and halting services of ETECSA, the state telecommunications monopoly, leaving entire communities without internet, landline phones, or mobile data.
Furthermore, since April 2025, the regime has declared the use of Starlink illegal without state authorization, blocking one of the few connectivity alternatives available to Cubans.
This isn't the first instance linking Cuban pigeons to social media. Earlier this month, a pigeon with Cuban identification rings was found exhausted in Panama City, Florida, after crossing the open sea, also going viral with comments about the bird "escaping the regime," paralleling the massive human migration from the island.
Understanding Cuba's Unique Communication Challenges
Why are carrier pigeons being used in Cuba for communication?
The use of carrier pigeons has resurfaced in Cuba due to severe communication and energy crises, which have led to frequent outages of traditional communication methods, forcing citizens to rely on alternative means.
What reactions has the video about Cuban pigeons sparked?
The video has provoked a mix of sarcastic and critical responses from internet users, highlighting the irony of using 19th-century communication methods in the 21st century due to the island's deteriorating infrastructure.
How has the Cuban government responded to alternative communications like Starlink?
The Cuban regime has declared the use of Starlink illegal without state permission, effectively blocking one of the few alternative connectivity options for the Cuban populace.