In the crumbling remains of a building in Havana, a woman's words encapsulate the desperation felt by many Cubans: "Maybe if Trump comes back, like everyone hopes, things might improve a bit here in Cuba, at least with issues like food and housing. The poor shouldn't have to live in places like this."
This sentiment was captured by American independent journalist Oliya Scootercaster, a videographer with Freedom News TV, who shared the video on her X account (@ScooterCasterNY) after a visit to Havana in late March.
The woman, who has a young child, starkly described the daily challenges she faces. She spoke of ongoing power outages affecting the entire city, food shortages, lack of milk for her child, and the absence of medicine, forcing her to buy it at inflated prices on the black market.
"When he comes, I hope at least to get a decent house and see real change because this country is really in a bad state," she said. She lives in a building at risk of collapse, without a shower, bathing with a bucket of water.
Addressing the blackouts, she was candid: "...the power went out across Havana and it's tough to be without electricity. The heat, the mosquitoes... it's stressful. We've bought rechargeable lamps because when you have a child, it's not easy."
Her hope extends beyond personal relief: "I hope it's for the better, not worse. It's not just my family; many families here in Cuba are struggling. This is what everyone is waiting for."
Scootercaster reported that during her tour of Havana, the most frequently asked question was "When is Trump coming?" She documented extreme conditions like nighttime lines at banks with withdrawals limited to around $20 per person and gasoline on the black market costing 4,000 Cuban pesos per liter.
This testimony adds to a chorus of similar voices from the island. Last Thursday, a grandmother from Santiago pleaded for Trump to intervene in Cuba "in any way possible" in a video posted by the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU).
In January, a young man begged "Daddy Trump" to "put an end to this already." On March 30, a Cuban known on TikTok as "Miguel and the Chickens" warned the U.S. leader: "If you don't come, I'll go find you."
Since January 2026, Cuba has faced its most severe energy and humanitarian crisis in decades, exacerbated by the cessation of Venezuelan oil supplies after Nicolás Maduro's capture, which accounted for 80% to 90% of Cuban imports. The economy has contracted by 23% since 2019, with an additional 7.2% decline projected this year.
Trump has consistently addressed the situation in Cuba. On March 16, he stated, "I think I'll have the honor of taking Cuba"; on March 27, he declared in Miami, "Cuba is next"; and on March 30, he promised that the United States "will be there to help" when the regime collapses, describing Cuba as "a disaster, a failed state."
Understanding Cuba's Current Crisis and Trump's Influence
Why do some Cubans hope for Trump's return?
Some Cubans believe that Trump's return might bring changes that could alleviate their current hardships, such as improving food supplies and housing conditions, due to his critical stance against the Cuban regime.
What are the main challenges currently faced by Cubans?
Cubans are currently dealing with severe shortages of basic necessities like food, electricity, and medicine, alongside a deteriorating economy and living conditions.
How has the cessation of Venezuelan oil affected Cuba?
The stop of oil supplies from Venezuela, which represented a major portion of Cuba's imports, has significantly worsened the island's energy crisis, contributing to widespread power outages and economic decline.