What Cubans Want to Say About Life in Cuba Today
September 1, 2026
What does this moment in Cuba mean to the people living through it?
For photographer Moník Molinet, the answer begins with a pause: asking people to stop, reflect, and write down the words that honestly describe their lives. In Havana, amid an increasingly severe social and economic crisis fueled by suffocating U.S. sanctions, she invited people to put their own words to the moment they are living through.
These are their words. Their voices. Their moment.
Words for This Moment is a photographic project by Moník Molinet, created in Havana in July, 2026. The project is a series of 50 portraits, created in collaboration with Belly of the Beast.
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"I wish my daughter and granddaughter were with me," said María Elena, a Havana resident, as part of the "Words for This Moment" photography project.
"And where are they?" asked Liz Oliva Fernández, journalist with Belly of the Beast.
"In the United States," María Elena said.
"I wish I'd see and hug them before I close my eyes. You never know what tomorrow will bring. Maybe I'm talking here today, and tomorrow I won't be here," she added.
"I need you to write something here about your life. The most important thing is that what you write be honest, something you deeply want, something you fear, a secret you've never told anyone. It's your voice," Oliva Fernández said.
"We have to enjoy life, even if it's shit, with the blackouts and everything that's happening in the country. You have to live, because everyone is going to die," said Claudia Mónaco, a Havana resident.
"Look, there's no electricity, so I buy a lamp. I don't have gas, so I buy charcoal. You understand?" said Yurima, a gas station worker.
"I live according to the moment. I have no frustrations," she added.
"The passion for music, I'm 100 percent sure that's what kept me going. I'll keep moving forward, even if they pull me back. Life has taught me through hard knocks. Good, bad, or somewhere in between, I've been given advice," said Omarito, a Havana resident.
"Oh, how beautiful! Bravo!" Oliva Fernández said.
"My concern is the illness I have in my legs, because I can't walk well. I have a sister-in-law in Guanabacoa whom I can't go see because I can't take the bus," said Caridad, a Havana resident.
"Why doesn't Elena come to see you?" Oliva Fernández asked.
"Because she's sick too," Caridad replied.
"I studied Metrology, Standardization, and Quality Control. But when you look for a job, you can't get one. Because I wear nails, I have long hair, I dress femininely. And because of that, they reject you and tell you: 'No, you can't work,'" said a participant in the photography project.
"My life is going more or less okay. I'm on my own for everything," said Dayana, a Havana resident.
"How many babies do you have?" Oliva Fernández asked.
"Two. I have my daughter and this boy," Dayana said.
"How old is your daughter?" Oliva Fernández asked.
"She's one year and eleven months old, but she's not with me because they took her away from me for prostitution. I want to completely change my life and get my baby back. And have a better life," Dayana said.
"At the moment, I'm doing this job that I do, but really," said Pedro, an electrical engineer working as a motorcycle taxi driver.
"What is it?" Oliva Fernández asked.
"I'm here working as a motorcycle taxi driver, but I'm actually an electrical engineer. This is what I have to do. I do this for my family," Pedro said.
"I'm happy when I get to rest because even though I don't get any rest, I still come to work because I really like my profession. And I never miss work," said Iliana, a nurse.
"You never miss work," said Moník Molinet, photographer.
"What else can I do?" Iliana said.
"There are no medicines because of the blockade. That's why I ask for healthcare, so people don't have to go looking for medicines. It's something very essential in a society," said Marcos, a Havana resident.
"They're making us mentally ill. We're mentally ill because it's psychological. But we can't sleep well, you can't even go to the bathroom properly," said Josué, a Havana resident.
"Before, with 20 pesos, you could get by. Now, even 10,000 pesos [$15] isn't enough," said Señor Prado, a Havana resident.
"And now it's like everything, we're waiting to see what solutions we're going to find, because we're going through difficult times. What we're going through, I wouldn't wish on anyone," he added.
"Maybe it's not the future you want to dedicate a phrase to, but the past," Oliva Fernández said.
"I lived under capitalism, so no one can fool me," said Silvia, a Havana resident.
"Why are you here, Luis?" Oliva Fernández asked.
"I come here to work in tourism. And now there are no tourists," said Luis, a trumpet player.
"The situation I'm living through is driving me crazy," he added.
"Every day, I have to face danger," said Yadira, a Havana resident.
"Why danger? Because it's dark, because there's a lot of violence," she continued.
"And still, I have to do it, despite the danger. And I can't do anything because it's out of my hands," Yadira said.
"Until relations between Cuba and the United States improve, things will continue to be bad here in Cuba. If more opportunities are given to everyone, things will get better here," said Máximo, a Havana resident.
"I'm standing here thinking that I wish this would all end, that all Cubans could be happy and feel good," said Josefina, a Havana resident.
"Because the problem is the heat, the mosquitoes, the garbage. It's tormenting me," she added.
"I'm tired. I'm exhausted. But just because you're tired doesn't mean you can give up," said Maria Fernanda, a Havana resident.
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