A simple plate of bread, a soy oil bottle in the background, and a few words that encapsulate it all: "It's Got a Bit." With this straightforward reel, Cuban content creator Arlet Dianelis Martinez Martinez achieved what few can—striking a chord with thousands who share the same reality.
In August, Arlet shared a video on Facebook featuring a blue plate with either bread or boiled yuca beside a soy oil bottle branded CASALIVA—its blue label bearing the words "ECO BOTELLA"—resting on a stovetop.
The scene’s stark simplicity speaks volumes: the meal is as basic as it gets, yet "it's got a bit." In Cuba, this expression means "a little bit," and in today's climate, it reflects the resigned humor many have adopted in the face of scarcity.
The reel quickly amassed over 10,000 likes on Facebook, leaving Arlet overwhelmed. In a follow-up video, visibly touched, she expressed her gratitude: "What a huge surprise, what a delightful shock you all have given me. You guys are incredible, truly incredible. You almost gave me a heart attack!"
The outpouring of support from her followers was immense: "Oh, my love, you guys are wild. Thank you so much, so much, so much," she added in the same clip.
The Oil Crisis and Its Comedic Response
Arlet's video is not an isolated incident. Since July 2026, cooking oil has become a stark emblem of Cuba's food crisis. On June 20, the Ministry of Finance and Prices' Resolution 150/2026 removed price caps for imported cooking oils, repealing the previous limit of 990 Cuban pesos (CUP) per liter.
The aftermath was a relentless price surge: by late July, a liter cost 2,500 CUP in Havana, skyrocketed past 3,000 CUP in Sancti Spíritus overnight, and in August, prices ranged from 4,000 to 7,000 CUP across various provinces.
In response to this chaos, many Cubans turned to humor on social media. A user known as @norma.morado flaunted an oil bottle like a luxury item. Comedian Loky Kubah went viral with a sketch depicting the price jumping from 2,500 to 3,500 CUP as a customer scrambled for money.
A young man nicknamed "El Burla" secured a bottle of oil in a safe, racking up over 14,000 likes. Meanwhile, Cuban Yisel Benítez wandered the streets in search of oil, returning with an empty bag but over 822,000 views.
Political Undertones of "A Bit"
The phrase "a bit" had already gained political traction in May 2026 with the meme "Me queda un tin," a parody directly challenging Díaz-Canel's leadership.
Arlet's reel revisits this phrase, but with a focus on everyday humor: showcasing a meal with "a bit" of oil resonates deeply with many Cubans.
Meanwhile, one Cuban declared an "oil strike" on social media in response to 7,000 CUP prices, and 33.9% of Cuban households reported at least one person going to bed hungry in the past 30 days.
Understanding the Cuban Oil Crisis
What does the phrase "It's Got a Bit" signify in Cuba?
In Cuba, "It's Got a Bit" translates to "a little bit" and is often used humorously to reflect the scarcity of resources, particularly in the current economic climate.
Why has cooking oil become symbolic in Cuba?
Cooking oil has become symbolic of Cuba's economic struggles due to drastic price increases following the removal of price caps, making it a focal point of the food crisis.
How have Cubans responded to the rising oil prices?
Many Cubans have turned to humor on social media, creating viral content that highlights the absurdity of the situation, while others have declared symbolic "oil strikes."