Cuba's deepening crisis fuels mass exodus and inspires local artistic projects

Cuba is confronting one of its most severe socioeconomic crises since the revolution, driven by prolonged U.S. embargo, fuel shortages, daily blackouts lasting up to 20 hours, and shortages of food, water and medical supplies. Since 2020, an estimated 2.75 million Cubans have left the island, creating a humanitarian emergency.

Amid the turmoil, Cuban artists are documenting the situation. A short documentary, “La Retaguardia” (The Ones Who Stay), follows four young creators in Havana who have chosen to remain despite the hardships, illustrating the personal impact of the migration wave.

Simultaneously, indie developer Josuhe Pagliery is creating a low‑poly horror game, “Tasteless,” that draws on the daily blackouts and economic hardship as narrative material, hoping the game will serve as an artistic record of this era. Both the film and the game show how Cuba's crisis is shaping cultural expression and reflecting the broader challenges faced by its population.