A young woman from Las Tunas, Cuba, captured the attention of TikTok users this Thursday by showcasing what she humorously referred to as her "millionaire meal" in Cuba. Her dish, consisting of rice with pork and chicharrones, was lovingly prepared by her mother, highlighting a rare indulgence for many Cubans today.
Content creator Yaneisy (@yaneisycanta_98) shared the video, using it as a direct critique of the regime's official narrative: "Millionaire meal in Cuba, or at least for me, because supposedly here in Cuba, we are all equal, but folks, that's just not true."
Yaneisy was quick to clarify that her sense of wealth stemmed not from money, but from familial love: "While it's true that eating meat in Cuba is a luxury, my feeling of being rich isn't because of that. It's because I'm at my mom's house, where she spoils me."
Her favorite dish, rice with pork, was accompanied by chicharrones she was lucky enough to find near her home. She described this as a rare stroke of luck in the usual hustle and bustle of Las Tunas, where lines are a common sight in everyday life.
“Las Tunas is always bustling with people, electric scooters, and many tricycles, and everywhere you go, there’s a massive line,” she recounted. Fortunately, at the place where she bought the meat, there was no line, much to her relief: “Thank God there wasn’t a soul, because I’m allergic to waiting in lines.”
This video is not an isolated incident in Yaneisy's online presence. Back in January 2026, one of her videos surpassed 3 million views, highlighting what one could buy in Cuba with 2,500 Cuban pesos—roughly five dollars: sausages, spaghetti, elbow macaroni, and soap. Her oft-repeated phrase encapsulates the paradox: "There is food in Cuba, but there's no money."
The statistics support her claim. In 2026, the price of a pound of pork in the informal market ranged from 1,000 to 1,300 Cuban pesos, while the average state salary was a mere 6,930 pesos per month. National pork production plummeted from 200,000 to just 9,000 tons in recent years, transforming what used to be a festive family dish into a luxury item.
Las Tunas, Yaneisy's province, ranks among the two hardest-hit by the country's food crisis, along with Guantanamo. Over 10% of the population has lost complete access to food, and more than 46,400 hectares remain unproductive. According to food security data from April 2026, an alarming 96.91% of the Cuban population lacked adequate food access.
The disparity is stark when compared to tourist prices: in a luxury store in Havana, a pork chop can cost nearly $130, an unattainable amount for any Cuban state worker.
At the video’s conclusion, Yaneisy captured the sentiment shared by many Cubans: “There’s no better food in the world than the one your mother cooks for you.” In the context of Cuba in 2026, this saying resonates with both tenderness and protest.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Hardships
Why is pork considered a luxury in Cuba?
Due to the collapse in national pork production and high prices in the informal market, pork has become a luxury item for many Cubans.
What is the typical salary in Cuba compared to pork prices?
In 2026, the average state salary was around 6,930 pesos per month, while a pound of pork could cost between 1,000 and 1,300 pesos in the informal market.
How has the food crisis affected Las Tunas?
Las Tunas has been severely impacted by the food crisis, with over 10% loss in total food access and more than 46,400 hectares of land lying unproductive.