Cuban Expat Criticizes Those Requesting Money from Cuba: "Then You See Them Drinking Beer at the Beach"

In a TikTok video posted yesterday, a Cuban woman living abroad expressed her frustration towards individuals in Cuba who ask for money for non-essential expenses, such as beer, while they are seen enjoying themselves at the beach. The video was recorded after her workday ended at 5:45 PM.

"These people in Cuba who ask for money... just to drink beer, and you see them at the beach living it up," says @bombonleal07 candidly, her exhaustion evident after a long day at work.

The expatriate clarifies that she is not complaining about her own situation but rather pointing out the lack of appreciation for the efforts of those working outside of Cuba.

"There comes a point where you get tired, I swear, you get tired of seeing people who don't understand, who don't see any effort, just waiting to see what they can get sent from here," she asserts in the video.

One of the most irritating arguments for her is the trivialization of the amounts sent: "They tell me: my son, no, come on, twenty bucks is nothing, but damn, twenty bucks is gas money and right now gas is crazy expensive."

She acknowledges the real needs in Cuba but contrasts them with her reality abroad: "I understand there's need in Cuba, but here if there's no rice, you have to eat bread with sugar. You can't just go to your neighbor and ask if they can give you a little rice."

This accumulated pressure has led her to change her stance over time: "People become shameless, people become very opportunistic, and that bothers me."

Her decision is now clear: "My money is for me, my family, and maybe a few friends, and that's it."

@bombonleal07's experience is not unique. In April 2025, another Cuban living in Spain known as Chanel (@chanel.165) made a similar viral video, questioning: "Do people think money just falls from the sky when they ask for 100€, 150€, or 50€? I think they do." Chanel added: "They say: can you send me 100€, recharge my phone, you can, you can... without knowing the sacrifice we make here, not to earn 50€, but to earn 5€!"

This discussion arises amid one of Cuba's worst economic crises in decades. According to the Food Monitor Program, 33.9% of Cuban households experienced hunger in 2025, 25% went to bed without dinner, and 79.4% spent more than 80% of their income on food.

The average state salary in Cuba is merely equivalent to 15 to 20 dollars a month, making remittances a vital lifeline for millions of families. Over 1.4 million Cubans have emigrated since 2021, leaving elderly and vulnerable family members reliant on those who have left.

The paradox highlighted by @bombonleal07—requesting money for beer while posting from the beach—divides the Cuban community between those advocating unconditional family support and those asserting the right to set boundaries after years of sacrifice.

"Here, you also indulge yourself, but you have to work to fight for your dreams. The difference in Cuba is living in monotony all the time," concludes the expatriate.