A Cuban resident has sparked widespread discussion on social media after posting a TikTok video in which he claims to have paid 5,000 Cuban pesos (CUP) per liter of gasoline on the black market. This revelation comes amidst a severe fuel crisis and continuous power outages affecting the island.
The video, shared by user @losfueradrosca, captures the visibly upset man explaining the exorbitant price he had to pay for fuel.
"I just came back extremely frustrated from the street. Look at this, folks, look at what's happening right now in Cuba," he begins, showing the fuel he purchased.
According to his account, he bought ten liters of gasoline at 5,000 CUP each.
"This is gasoline, okay, gasoline is now five thousand pesos per liter," he states in the video.
The total cost of his purchase amounted to 50,000 pesos.
"We're talking about me buying ten liters. Ten liters, people, are now fifty thousand pesos," he elaborates.
He also compares this expenditure to the informal exchange rate prevalent on the island. "We're talking about the exchange rate from elToque, which all Cubans follow, where the dollar is at five hundred ten, so fifty thousand pesos, it almost cost me a hundred dollars, let's round it up, a hundred dollars," he comments.
The man emphasizes the necessity of the fuel for operating a generator and getting around on his motorcycle amid the prolonged blackouts.
"It cost me to get ten liters of gasoline that won't last me a week, to power the generator and to move on the motorcycle," he explains.
He also describes the frequency of the power cuts he endures. "They're cutting power eight, ten, twelve, fifteen hours, some people are without it for a whole day," he asserts.
The video concludes with a reflection on the nation's dire situation. "Things are looking ugly... so, what do I do, what do we do, folks? This is bad, this is bad, really bad."
The post elicited numerous reactions in the comments section. Some users expressed disbelief over the fuel's price. "That must be a lie... you're saying it cost you 10 dollars per liter?" wrote one commenter.
Others linked the issue to the country's political situation or called for protests. "The whole of Cuba should protest... there aren't enough prisons in Cuba to hold an entire nation," another person remarked.
Some users blamed those buying fuel on the black market for the situation. "It's your own fault for paying that much," noted one user.
The complaint coincides with a significant surge in gasoline prices on the black market. In recent months, the price per liter has ranged from 3,500 to 3,800 pesos, equivalent to about six to eight dollars based on the informal exchange rate, as reports and posts on social media indicate.
The rising fuel costs have also had a direct impact on transportation. Social media users have reported increasingly steep fares for trips within Havana and interprovincial journeys, in a context of scarcity where the cost of transit has become a public debate, as seen when a post about a 500-peso trip sparked a discussion over transportation costs in Cuba.
The fuel shortage has even driven some Cubans to seek alternative solutions for mobility. Recently, images circulated on social media showing a car adapted to run on charcoal using a gasogen system, an old technology used in scarcity situations, like the case of a modified Fiat in Cuba to operate on charcoal.
As the shortage persists and prices continue to rise on the black market, many Cubans turn to social media to share experiences, denounce the situation, or express frustration over the impact of fuel on daily life.
Understanding Cuba's Fuel Crisis
What is causing the high gasoline prices in Cuba?
The high gasoline prices in Cuba are largely due to the severe fuel crisis and the scarcity of available resources. The socialist government's policies and economic challenges have exacerbated the situation, leading to increased prices on the black market.
How are Cubans coping with the fuel shortage?
Cubans are finding creative solutions to deal with the fuel shortage, such as using alternative fuel technologies like gasogen systems and relying on social media to voice their grievances and seek communal support.
What impact does the fuel shortage have on daily life in Cuba?
The fuel shortage significantly affects daily life in Cuba, leading to increased transportation costs, challenges in operating essential equipment during power outages, and general frustration among the population.