A Cuban woman living abroad shared a TikTok video showcasing her purchases in Cuba with just $180, offering a stark depiction of the island's severe economic crisis.
@mily_pastel uploaded her shopping experience last Friday on Palomino Street in Camagüey, a bustling hub of informal commerce where private vendors sell food items that are scarce in state-run stores.
"I'm in Cuba, and I'm going to show you everything I bought with one hundred eighty dollars," she announces at the beginning of the 49-second video.
The list of items is quite extensive: two cases of soda—one orange and one lemon—ten bottles of oil, a box containing six family-sized bottles of malt, six packs of peas, ten pounds of chicken, a pork loin, a gouda cheese, a spicy sausage, a spicy ham, six packs of ground meat, three bottles of mayonnaise, ten pounds of tomatoes, two bunches of burro bananas, and five pounds of flour.
"I bought all this on Palomino Street. Those from Camagüey will know: that street is full of private places selling all this," the creator explained.
What the video subtly conveys is the economic chasm that those $180 represent for someone living in Cuba.
As of June 2026, the informal exchange rate converts that amount to between 113,400 and 120,600 Cuban pesos—more than 16 times the official average monthly salary in Cuba, which is set at 6,930 CUP, approximately $13 at the informal exchange rate.
Last Sunday, the dollar traded at 670 CUP in the informal market, according to elTOQUE's exchange rate monitoring, compared to the 500 CUP in February—a depreciation exceeding 30% in just four months.
For a Cuban resident, gathering those $180 with state income is nearly impossible: the minimum wage is 2,100 CUP per month, less than five dollars at the current rate.
The situation becomes even more dire considering that Cubans need at least 96,000 CUP monthly to meet basic needs, according to recent estimates—a figure 14 times higher than the official average wage.
@mily_pastel's video joins a trending movement on TikTok throughout 2026, where members of the Cuban diaspora document their purchases on the island to shed light on the crisis.
Recently, other creators have shown what can be purchased with 30,000 pesos, 10,500 pesos, or even just 10 dollars, all highlighting the dramatic contrast in purchasing power between the dollar and the Cuban peso.
The clip by @mily_pastel has garnered over 1.3 million views, 44,100 likes, and more than 1,500 comments, many from Cubans on the island who recognize Palomino Street and for whom that same purchase would represent more than a year's worth of average state salary.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges in 2026
What does the video by @mily_pastel illustrate about Cuba's economy?
The video highlights the stark economic disparity, showing how $180 can buy a large amount of goods, which is unattainable for most Cubans relying on state salaries.
How has the value of the Cuban peso changed recently?
The Cuban peso has depreciated by over 30% in the informal market within four months, trading at 670 CUP per dollar compared to 500 CUP in February.
Why is it difficult for Cubans to gather $180?
Given the minimum wage of 2,100 CUP per month—less than five dollars—it is nearly impossible for Cubans to save $180 with state income.