Ileana Fernández, the mother of Cuban YouTuber Dina Stars, was moved to tears in the dairy aisle of a Spanish supermarket as she witnessed for the first time the vast array of products available. This moment was captured in a brief TikTok video released on Sunday, highlighting in just 19 seconds the stark disparity between Cuba's scarcity and European abundance.
Ileana arrived in Spain in early May to be with her daughter for the imminent birth of baby Derek, following an eight-month separation. Their emotional reunion took place on May 3rd at a train station in Spain, a moment documented by Dina Stars.
While visiting the supermarket, Ileana couldn't hold back her tears as she stood in front of shelves overflowing with milk. "I cried in front of the milk at the market too, but this, this is so heartbreaking, Dani, because look at how many kinds! I don't want to dwell on the same thing, but when you see these things, when you see what's happening, the children, it's just so sad," she expressed in the clip.
Dina Stars captioned the video with a poignant message: "In Cuba, children don't have food, this is what my mom said when she saw a market in Spain for the first time."
From Scarcity to Abundance: A Mother's Tears
This moment is especially powerful considering its context: back in November 2021, Ileana had similarly broken down in tears at an agricultural market in Havana, known as the "millionaires' market" on Calle 19 and B in Vedado, due to the exorbitant prices.
At that time, with about 2,000 Cuban pesos, they could barely purchase basic vegetables and beans. Ileana lamented, "You leave there with such a big disappointment that the salad might not even sit well with me. I don't know where we're heading!"
Four and a half years later, she weeps again in front of supermarket shelves, but now it's due to the abundance she's never known in Cuba. The contrast between these two instances — one over hardship, the other over plenty — underscores the severe food crisis plaguing the island.
The Dire Reality of Food in Cuba
According to the "En Cuba Hay Hambre 2025" survey conducted by the Food Monitor Program, one in three Cuban households (33.9%) experienced hunger in 2025, with 25% of the population going to bed without dinner and 29% skipping a meal each day.
Milk production in Cuba has plummeted by 37.6% as per official statistics, exacerbating child malnutrition. In the province of Granma, a shocking 78.9% of the population faces hunger.
Dina Stars relocated to Madrid in May 2022 after being detained by Cuban State Security on July 13, 2021, while making live statements about the 11J protests. Since her relocation, mother and daughter remained connected through video calls; in April 2026, Ileana watched a 5D ultrasound of baby Derek from Cuba, moved by the image of her future grandson.
The full video of the supermarket visit is available on Dina Stars' YouTube channel, where she documents her mother's journey of discovery in a reality unimaginable in Cuba.
Understanding the Cuban Food Crisis
What prompted Ileana Fernández's emotional reaction in the Spanish supermarket?
Ileana Fernández was overwhelmed by the abundance of food products in the Spanish supermarket, especially in the dairy aisle, which starkly contrasted with the scarcity she experienced in Cuba.
How does the food situation in Cuba compare to that in Spain?
Cuba is experiencing a severe food crisis with high levels of hunger and malnutrition, while Spain offers a wide variety and abundance of food products, highlighting the stark contrast between the two countries.
What are some statistics illustrating the food crisis in Cuba?
The "En Cuba Hay Hambre 2025" survey reveals that 33.9% of Cuban households faced hunger, 25% of people went to bed hungry, and 29% skipped a daily meal, with milk production dropping by 37.6%.