On the streets of Cuba, creativity and ingenuity make a difference in surviving amid the crisis. A street vendor recorded on video while traversing a neighborhood on a tricycle full of household items has generated numerous comments on social media.
The small mobile business offers everything: buckets, brooms, strainers, plastic containers, graters, sieves, trays, sets of spoons, tongs, brushes, plates, basins, cups, airtight containers, and even cleaning products imported from Asia. A true "rolling mini Dollar Tree," as one user joked.
The images, shared on TikTok, show the vendor pedaling under the sun with his tricycle covered by a red tarp, piled high with merchandise. The comments came pouring in quickly:
"The only thing missing is the name Dollar Tree," wrote an internet user. "Here at Family Dollar, all of that costs a dollar, but in Cuba, it costs an arm and a leg," responded another, highlighting the price difference.
"The poor vendor, if caught by an inspector, will be asked for papers and will have even his tricycle confiscated," commented someone else, recalling the obstacles faced by self-employed workers on the island.
Others defended his effort: “With that job, he’s surely happier than many who live here. He earns more than those who drive for Uber and even more than truck drivers in Miami.”
The scene reflects two sides of Cuban reality: on one hand, the entrepreneurship and ingenuity of those who take to the streets to earn a living, and on the other, the risk of state repression that targets those who sell without a license or outside the legal framework.
While in the United States the products carried by this tricycle are found in stores like Dollar Tree or Family Dollar for just 1 or 2 dollars, in Cuba they are often sold at prices that multiply several times their original value, making this type of street vending one of the few ways to access basic household items.
Frequently asked questions about street vending in Cuba and the economic situation
What is street vending like in Cuba?
Street vending in Cuba is characterized by the creativity and ingenuity of the vendors, who offer a wide variety of household products from tricycles and other mobile means. These merchants face challenges such as state repression and lack of licenses, as the Cuban regime imposes strict restrictions on self-employment.
Why are products in Cuba more expensive than in the United States?
In Cuba, products that are readily available in low-cost stores in the United States, such as Dollar Tree, are often sold at prices that multiply their original value several times. This is due to factors such as scarcity, state control of the economy, and the need to import many products, which significantly raises the cost of access to basic items for Cubans.
How does partial dollarization affect the Cuban population?
Partial dollarization in Cuba, where the dollar is only accepted in certain stores, deepens social inequality. Most Cubans receive their salaries in pesos rather than in foreign currency, which limits their ability to access basic products that are sold exclusively in dollars, creating a sense of injustice and economic exclusion.
What risks do street vendors face in Cuba?
Street vendors in Cuba face the risk of state repression, as authorities can confiscate their goods and means of transportation if they operate without the proper licenses. This type of repression is one of the barriers that self-employed workers on the island encounter.
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