A young Cuban named Rey Barranco García has captured the attention of social media users on Facebook by sharing his journey as a courier in Havana. His goal is straightforward: to save enough money to purchase an electric bike.
In a 46-second video, Barranco documents a grueling 12-hour workday, from seven in the morning until seven in the evening, covering various parts of the capital city. His route included two trips to Arroyo Naranjo and a stop at the Paradero de Playa.
"Day 4 of courier work until I can buy an electric bike. Today, we're aiming for eight deliveries, starting at 7 AM," he announces at the beginning of the clip.
By the end of his shift, he had completed nine deliveries, exceeding his initial target, with little time for breaks. "It's 3 PM, and I'm heading to the seventh delivery. I finally managed to eat something because I was really hungry," he shares in the video.
The outcome of his efforts was impressive: 9,000 Cuban pesos earned in a single day.
"It's 7 PM, and I'm finally heading home. I earned a total of 9,000 pesos today. Follow me to see how much I make tomorrow," he concludes.
This amount is significant, especially when compared to the average state salary in Cuba, which ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 pesos monthly — roughly equivalent to 20 U.S. dollars on the informal exchange market. This disparity partly explains why the video resonated so deeply with Cubans.
Despite this success, his goal remains distant. Electric bikes on Cuba's informal market range from 2,500 to 4,000 dollars, translating to between 875,000 and 1,400,000 pesos at the current exchange rate of approximately 350 pesos per dollar.
For those reliant on state wages, these prices are simply unattainable. In Holguín, Caribe stores offer new motorcycles from brands like Suzuki and Haojue for prices ranging from 2,130 to 6,590 dollars, sums that are beyond the reach of state employees paid in pesos.
The demand for these vehicles is driven by the collapse of public transportation in Cuba and a persistent fuel shortage, making electric bikes and scooters the most practical option for urban mobility.
Rey Barranco García's "daily challenge" format has become a trend among young Cubans, who share their informal earnings on social media platforms.
Similar stories include a young woman showcasing her earnings from her hair salon in Cuba and a tattoo artist who went viral for building his business from scratch.
The stark contrast with state employment is evident. In July 2025, Cuban Sheyla Reyes captured the essence of the situation with a viral statement: "In Cuba, working yields nothing."
Rey Barranco García's video has garnered over 175,000 views and more than 10,000 reactions, and his series continues. Each day, he posts his earnings, inching closer — peso by peso — to his dream of owning an electric bike.
Understanding the Economic Challenges in Cuba
Why is Rey Barranco García's story significant in Cuba?
Rey Barranco García's story highlights the economic challenges many Cubans face. His journey to earn enough money for an electric bike underscores the gap between state salaries and the costs of necessary transportation options in Cuba.
What drives the demand for electric bikes in Cuba?
The demand for electric bikes in Cuba is fueled by the collapse of the public transportation system and a chronic fuel shortage, making them the most feasible option for city travel.
How does the cost of electric bikes compare to state salaries in Cuba?
The cost of electric bikes, ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 dollars, is prohibitively high compared to state salaries, which average between 5,000 and 6,000 pesos monthly, equivalent to about 20 U.S. dollars on the informal market.