This week, a young boy named Miguel became the symbol of a childhood lost to Cuba's ongoing crisis. His story captured hearts after a video on Instagram showed him buying sweets at a local kiosk, only to walk two kilometers to a beach where he sells them.
In one powerful statement, he captured the essence of his struggle: "I'd rather keep myself busy working than stealing or doing bad things."
The video was recorded and shared by Yeison López (@hermandadtmph), a Cuban content creator with over 600,000 followers who returned to the island to candidly document everyday life without embellishment.
In the footage, Miguel candidly explains that the sweets—twists, candies, and whatever is available—aren't for eating: "Why? To eat? No, to sell." His reasoning struck a chord with viewers: "You need to have money so you don't have to ask your mom for it."
Miguel clarifies that he attends school and only works in the afternoons on days when his schedule allows. Nevertheless, the image of him trudging under the Cuban sun, carrying his goods miles on foot to earn a few pesos, sparked a wave of reactions combining admiration and heartache.
The video garnered over 45,000 reactions and nearly 1,400 comments. Many users recognized Miguel as a neighbor, describing him as "very hardworking." Others sought information to find and assist him. One comment summarized the sentiment shared by many: "A child so young who understands the problems caused by a failed system. In other countries, a child's job is to be a child, but here, necessity leaves you with two choices: do wrong or do what you can to survive."
Miguel's situation is not unique. Yeison López previously documented the story of Dainer, a 12-year-old from Bahía Honda, Artemisa, who climbed 20-meter royal palms using homemade ropes and walked miles barefoot to get to school. That video surpassed 450,000 views and concluded with a bicycle being donated to him.
Each of these stories underscores a harsh economic reality. Since July, the official minimum wage in Cuba is 3,210 pesos—around $4.65—while economists estimate that a person needs approximately 96,000 pesos monthly to meet basic needs. This staggering gap forces entire families to seek any possible source of income, and children are not exempt.
The Cuban Conflict Observatory reported 71 child labor and begging complaints in 2025, while the regime itself acknowledged that nearly 200,000 minors are vulnerable. Despite this, the Union of Communist Youth denied the existence of child labor in Cuba in June, a statement that sparked widespread backlash on social media.
Understanding Child Labor in Cuba
What is Miguel's story about?
Miguel is a young Cuban boy who buys and sells sweets to help his family financially, highlighting the harsh realities of child labor amid Cuba's economic crisis.
How is the economic situation affecting Cuban children?
Cuba's economic struggles push families to find any source of income, often involving children in labor to meet basic needs due to the significant gap between wages and living costs.
Who is Yeison López?
Yeison López is a Cuban content creator known for documenting everyday life in Cuba without filters or sensationalism, sharing stories like those of Miguel and Dainer to raise awareness.