Cuban comedian Javier Berridy has taken to Instagram with two satirical reels that have hilariously spotlighted the ongoing crisis in Cuba. These reels creatively depict a school roll call, where each fictitious name serves as a humorous critique of the island's numerous issues.
The first video, released last Friday, quickly gathered over 70,000 views, 5,463 likes, and 269 comments within just 24 hours. The second, posted the previous week, attracted 12,241 likes and 573 comments.
Names as a Mirror of Cuban Reality
The format is identical in both reels: a teacher calls out names in a classroom, each one a clever jab at the Cuban reality of 2026. In the first reel, students include names like "Revolico Martínez," "Carbonio Prieto de la Luz," "Oscuristán de la Caridad," "Ausencia del Agua Díaz," "Transfermóvil de la O," "Gasolínio Amador," and "Eurocito Parriba García," among others.
Each name carries its own punchline. When "Ausencia del Agua Díaz" is called, the response is: "not here, Teacher, the water didn’t come again." Similarly, "Utopía Rodríguez del Monte" is humorously said to have "got lost on the horizon."
Direct Jabs at the Cuban Regime
The video’s climax takes aim at the Cuban government’s rhetoric. When the teacher calls "Bloqueo de la Cruz," the retort is: "that student doesn't exist," a direct mockery of Havana's long-used excuse to justify decades of crisis.
In the second reel, we find "Apagonio Rodríguez," "Kilowatt Martínez," "Megawatt de la O," "Termoeléctrico de Jesús," "José Panelio Solar," and "EcoFlow Domínguez," reflecting the energy crisis that led to blackouts of up to 20 hours daily in several provinces in 2026.
The jokes are threaded together: "EcoFlow Domínguez" didn’t show because "he ran out of charge," and "Dolaris Martínez" is missing because he "went to the principal's office," ending with the punchline that "Dolaris keeps going up. Unbelievable," referencing the rampant inflation and dollarization affecting Cuba's economy.
Names like "Gaesa Reyes Pérez," nodding to the military-run business conglomerate controlling much of Cuba's formal economy, and "Mi Pyme de la Caridad," hinting at the rise of the private sector, also make an appearance.
The Satirical Genius of Javier Berridy
Berridy stands out as one of the most active Cuban comedians on social media this year, with several viral videos. In late August, he released "the alphabet of Cuba's problems," and in January, he created a parody of Raúl Castro addressing Donald Trump.
Berridy's fictional names aren't far from reality. In April, a Russian woman living in Cuba named her daughter "Apagonia," referencing the frequent power outages, which also went viral.
Cuba is known for its tradition of inventive and unique names, often created through phonetic blends or by combining the parents' names.
Upon releasing the second reel, Berridy engaged his audience with an open question: "Do you know any other names?"
Understanding Javier Berridy's Satirical Take on Cuban Society
What is the main theme of Javier Berridy's video reels?
Javier Berridy's reels humorously critique the ongoing crisis in Cuba through satirical school roll calls featuring fictitious names that reflect the country's social and economic challenges.
How did the audience react to Berridy's videos?
The audience responded enthusiastically, with the first video accumulating over 70,000 views and the second amassing 12,241 likes, highlighting the resonance of Berridy's satire with viewers.
What is the significance of the name "Bloqueo de la Cruz" in Berridy's reel?
"Bloqueo de la Cruz" is a satirical reference to the Cuban government's narrative that blames the U.S. embargo for the country's prolonged economic difficulties, humorously suggesting that this excuse is non-existent or unfounded.