A video shared on Facebook by Cuban content creator Alfredito Fominaya reveals a disturbing scene inside a public restroom in Cuba where a Bible is being used as a substitute for toilet paper. This stark image powerfully encapsulates the material and moral crisis afflicting the island under its communist regime.
The brief clip, lasting just 40 seconds, has gained traction on social media, amassing over 11,500 views and 545 positive reactions.
"It's unbelievable that this is happening, a public bathroom where people are cleaning themselves with a Bible. Clearly, there's a moral collapse when this occurs," Fominaya comments in the video.
In the post's description, Fominaya goes further, stating, "This is why we are where we are. Beyond poverty, it's this. A nation lacking moral conscience due to turning its back on the Giver of Life, freedom, and Prosperity."
Decades-Long Shortage of Basic Necessities
This incident doesn't happen in isolation. Cuba has been enduring a chronic shortage of toilet paper for decades. The state-owned company Prosa, the sole domestic producer, allocates its production exclusively to the tourism sector, leaving the general population without access.
On the black market, a single roll can cost up to 1,200 Cuban pesos, more than half of the minimum wage of 2,100 pesos.
Faced with this harsh reality, Cubans have resorted to using old newspapers, school notebooks, and any available paper as substitutes, a practice well-documented among most Cubans for years.
Public Restrooms in Disarray
Recently, journalist Yosmany Mayeta documented the state of restrooms at the Juan Bruno Zayas Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, where rusty toilets and crumpled newspaper served as the only available alternative.
Public restrooms in Havana, managed by retirees who charge a small fee for use, lack basic amenities like soap, disinfectants, light bulbs, and brooms.
Religious Persecution Intensifies
The religious undertone of the video is particularly painful for Cuban believers. The Cuban regime banned the distribution of Bibles from 1969 until 2015, when the prohibition was lifted after 46 years.
In 2026, religious persecution has escalated. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights reported 231 repressive actions against religious freedom in February alone, and the Observatory of Religious Freedom recorded 111 cases in April, highlighting the ongoing Christian persecution in Cuba.
Cuba ranks 24th on the 2026 World Watch List by the organization Open Doors.
Fominaya, who merges social criticism with Christian faith in his work, is no stranger to capturing the daily deterioration of the island. On July 1, he shared another viral video showing his children sleeping on the floor during a blackout, unable to withstand the heat and mosquitoes.
The video of the Bible in the restroom concludes with a sentiment shared by millions: "May God bless my land."
Understanding the Crisis of Toilet Paper in Cuba
Why is there a toilet paper shortage in Cuba?
Cuba faces a shortage due to the state-owned company's allocation of production solely to the tourism sector, leaving the general population with limited access.
How have Cubans adapted to the lack of toilet paper?
Cubans have resorted to using alternative materials such as old newspapers and school notebooks to cope with the shortage.
What is the significance of using a Bible in this context?
Using a Bible as toilet paper underscores the moral and spiritual crisis in Cuba, especially given the historical suppression of religious texts by the regime.