A 52-year-old father in Havana, Cuba, took a bold step by speaking to a foreign YouTuber, driven by a dire need: he sought help to secure powdered milk for his three young daughters. Despite sharing his family's struggles and criticizing the Cuban government, he implored the YouTuber to blur his face in the video, fearing imprisonment.
"All I want is some packets of milk for my family. I have three little girls," the man stated in an encounter captured by content creator BROBA, who documented his visit to Cuba on YouTube.
The man, who chose to remain anonymous, explained that his decision to speak on camera was fueled by the hope of obtaining a vital commodity that's become increasingly scarce for Cuban children.
Struggles with Rationing System
He recounted that the milk allocated for his daughters through the rationing system is delivered sporadically. "I record this so my [daughters] can drink milk... One month we have it, and then six months we don't," he lamented.
In the absence of milk, the family resorts to a concerning alternative. "If there's no milk, we give them water with sugar," he revealed, adding that this inadequate nutrition leads to health issues for the children, such as parasites.
Fear of Repercussions
The father also expressed a desire to leave Cuba, but his fear of governmental retribution was palpable as he begged the YouTuber to conceal his identity before releasing the footage. "Erase my face... because they give you five years, just like they've done to others here in Cuba," he pleaded.
He articulated his anxiety over expressing his views openly: "In other countries, you can speak about anyone, but not here because it's a communist country."
BROBA honored his request, ensuring the man's face was obscured in the video, though his voice and story remained intact. The YouTuber later shared with viewers that the man's concerns persisted even after the camera was turned off. "He insisted repeatedly that I remove his face because he could face serious consequences just for appearing in the video and speaking about the government," BROBA explained.
Milk Scarcity and Economic Strain
This father's plea for milk occurs amid a shortage acknowledged by the Cuban government itself. In June, the Minister of the Food Industry, Alberto López Díaz, admitted that over 100,000 Cuban children were affected by the lack of daily milk supply.
While official plans aimed to provide powdered milk to around 331,000 children and fluid milk to another 200,000, authorities conceded difficulties in meeting these targets. For many families, purchasing milk outside the state system isn't a feasible option.
In Matanzas, a bag of powdered milk sold for 6,500 pesos, a prohibitive cost for many Cuban households that must also cover food, medicine, transportation, and other essentials.
The Chilling Effect on Free Expression
The father's fear of showing his face adds another layer to his testimony. Independent organizations have long reported detentions, interrogations, threats, and legal actions against Cubans expressing dissenting views, both in public and online.
Fear of being filmed surfaced multiple times during BROBA's visit. Another Cuban, interviewed near the Capitol, also asked for his face to be hidden before criticizing the government's priorities. "A building collapses, and they build a hotel instead of helping Cubans," he remarked.
He summed up the crisis in a few words: "There's hunger in this country, a lot of hunger."
The video also highlights other challenges BROBA faced from the moment he arrived in Havana. A taxi driver claimed that obtaining gasoline could require waiting in line for up to eight hours, with purchases restricted to 20 to 40 liters per customer.
The YouTuber initially failed to acquire an ETECSA SIM card as the office was closed due to a power outage. Without internet access and in need of Cuban pesos, he resorted to exchanging dollars on the informal market.
Yet, among all the scenes he encountered during his first day in the capital, the conversation with the father of three summed up issues far beyond the inconveniences of a foreign visitor navigating Cuba.
The man stood in front of a camera because he needed milk for his daughters. He later requested his face be erased, fearing imprisonment for speaking out.
Understanding Cuba's Milk Shortage and Public Sentiment
Why is there a milk shortage in Cuba?
The milk shortage in Cuba is partly due to economic constraints and inefficiencies in the supply chain. The government has acknowledged difficulties in providing consistent supplies to children nationwide.
How does the Cuban government respond to the shortage?
The Cuban government has admitted to the shortage and the impact on over 100,000 children. However, their plans to distribute milk are hampered by logistical and economic issues, making it challenging to meet demand.
What are the consequences for speaking out in Cuba?
Expressing dissenting opinions against the government can lead to detention, interrogation, or even imprisonment. This fear of retribution is why many Cubans hesitate to speak openly, especially on camera.