Amidst Cuba's ongoing fuel crisis, a creative Cuban has once again proven that when resources are scarce, ingenuity abounds, often resembling scenes from a movie.
A viral video on social media captures a man operating what many have dubbed a "homemade rustic refinery." Using pipes, improvised containers, open flames, and even a makeshift cooling system, this invention aims to transform plastic into fuel.
The process, as described in the video, lacks "academic secrets" but is rich in creativity: heat applied to one end, long pipes for cooling the vapor, cold water to condense, and a bottle where a yellowish liquid, identified by the creator as "gasoline," begins to drip.
"This is the coil function; the distance helps it get cooler, doesn't need a coil," the man explains, showcasing the system's path. With a chuckle, he adds, "It's not good to give away all the secrets."
The scene, set amid smoke, fire, and recycled metal structures, has sparked various reactions among Cubans, both on the island and abroad.
An Ingenious Solution or Hazardous Gamble?
Some view it as yet another testament to national ingenuity. "Today, many laugh at him; soon, he'll be laughing at everyone," remarked one user. Another bluntly stated, "The guy's rich and doesn't even know it."
Others approached it with humor: "Someone explain octane rating to him," a netizen quipped. Meanwhile, another summed up the general sentiment: "What a crazy idea, man."
More critical voices expressed concern, particularly about the dangers. "God bless him, but that thing's going to blow up," warned a user, referencing recent accidents on the island.
From Innovation to Debate
In the midst of jokes and discussions, some tried to technically classify the invention. One comment suggested it might be "pyrolysis fuel," a process converting plastic waste into oil, though it clarified, "it will never be gasoline like we know it."
Beyond scientific precision, the video highlights a reality Cubans are all too familiar with: when everything is lacking, creativity flourishes.
"If we're not the best, we're among the top," wrote another user, encapsulating the pride—and irony—many feel about such stories.
Meanwhile, the protagonist continues to feed his makeshift furnace, letting his "gasoline" drip, oblivious to his newfound fame on social media.
Black market gasoline fetches up to 18,000 pesos for three liters, while the minimum wage is just 2,100 pesos.
This isn't the first Cuban attempt to produce fuel from plastics. Since May 2023, videos have circulated of Cubans replicating the pyrolysis process by hand. In March 2026, the Pyralis project in Holguín reported using a reactor capable of generating up to 100 liters of pyrolytic oil from 100 kg of plastic waste.
"Forget it, Cubans are inventors. If they had resources, who knows what they'd achieve. It's a pity, necessity is the mother of invention," summarized a netizen.
Cuban Ingenuity and Fuel Innovation
What is the homemade refinery attempting to produce?
The homemade refinery is attempting to convert plastic waste into a fuel-like substance, identified by the creator as "gasoline."
How has the Cuban public reacted to the video?
Reactions have varied, with some praising the ingenuity and others expressing concern about the safety risks involved.
What is the economic context behind this invention?
In Cuba, gasoline is extremely expensive on the black market, costing 18,000 pesos for three liters, while the minimum wage is just 2,100 pesos, driving people to seek alternative solutions.