A Cuban diplomat stationed in Washington took to social media on Monday to showcase an electric tricycle equipped with foldable solar panels, highlighting it as a testament to Cuba's "innovative spirit" in the face of adversity, while simultaneously issuing a challenge to the United States. The message was posted by David Ramírez Álvarez, the Second Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in Washington D.C. in charge of Cultural Affairs. In a 29-second video shared on his X account, a white tuk-tuk-style vehicle with extendable solar panels resembling wings can be seen navigating a Cuban street.
"The Cuban people's ability to innovate under adversity is remarkable. And the U.S. still believes it can defeat Cuba. Washington simply doesn't get us," wrote the Foreign Ministry official, using the hashtag CubaIsNotAThreat and blaming the ongoing "blockade."
While the diplomat portrays this as a display of popular ingenuity, the tricycle in question is more intricate than a typical homemade adaptation. Its foldable solar panels are akin to those being assembled by VEDCA (Caribbean Electric Vehicles), a joint Chinese-Cuban venture established in 2019 involving China's Tianjin Dongxing Industrial Group and Cuba's Minerva. The company has announced that "all future tricycles will come equipped with photovoltaic panels," with plans to produce over 20,000 units by 2026.
In Cuba, there is indeed a movement toward artisanal adaptations of Chinese electric tricycles with solar panels, driven by the severe energy crisis. Entrepreneurs like 21-year-old Yadán Pablo Espinosa have installed solar panels ranging from 550 to 650 watts on makeshift iron supports on more than 15 vehicles, with installation costs ranging from $500 to $800.
The timing of the official's declaration of this "innovation" is telling: just a day prior, Cuba had access to only 1,040 MW against a demand of 2,317 MW, with neighborhoods in Havana experiencing over 52 hours without electricity. By late October, the shortfall had exceeded 2,000 MW for three consecutive days. The National Electric System barely covers 38% to 45% of the demand, with blackouts lasting more than twenty hours daily in several provinces.
Ramírez Álvarez is no stranger to controversy. Since May 2026, U.S. federal authorities have been investigating him for allegedly orchestrating a foreign influence campaign on American soil, potentially violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). A video obtained by Fox News depicts him at a nighttime session in a California union hall, briefing activists on Congressional legislation and lobbying goals favorable to Havana.
The investigation is part of a broader legal offensive by the Department of Justice that scrutinizes 145 pro-Cuba organizations with combined revenues of approximately $1 billion annually. The Cuban Embassy has dismissed the allegations by invoking the Vienna Convention.
While the diplomat gains followers on X with messages of anti-imperialist resilience, millions of Cubans on the island are in search of practical solutions to survive prolonged blackouts. They are turning to solar panels, adapted tricycles, and any alternative that provides a semblance of light and mobility amidst an energy collapse that the regime has failed to address for decades.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Challenges and Innovations
What prompted the Cuban diplomat to showcase a solar-powered tricycle?
The diplomat highlighted the tricycle to demonstrate Cuba's capacity for innovation despite adversities and to challenge the United States' perception of Cuba.
Who is behind the production of the solar-powered tricycles in Cuba?
The tricycles are being assembled by VEDCA, a joint venture between China's Tianjin Dongxing Industrial Group and Cuba’s Minerva, established in 2019.
How severe is the current energy crisis in Cuba?
Cuba faces significant energy shortages, with power generation covering only 38% to 45% of demand, leading to lengthy blackouts across the country.
What legal challenges is the Cuban diplomat facing in the U.S.?
He is under investigation for possibly coordinating a foreign influence campaign in the U.S., potentially violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).