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A post on social media that called out the charge of 500 Cuban pesos (CUP) for a "machine" ride from Havana to La Víbora sparked an intense debate among hundreds of users, reflecting the growing tension surrounding private transportation amid the economic crisis the country is experiencing.
"From Havana to La Víbora 500 pesos. I'm tired," wrote Tatiana Aguilera alongside a picture taken inside the vehicle. Her comment sparked a wave of divided reactions between those who believe the prices are excessive and those who defend private drivers in light of the rising costs of fuel and other necessities.
In response to some criticisms, the author herself intervened to clarify her position. "Sure, I know perfectly well that the blame is not on the boaters," she replied in a comment. In another, she added: "I never said at any point that it was the driver's fault."
Several users pointed out the high cost of gasoline and diesel in the informal market. “A liter of gasoline is at 4,000,” one person commented. Another wrote, “Of course, if gasoline is at 4,000.” Figures like “3,500 pesos for oil at 2,000” were also repeated, referring to the prices that, according to the commenters themselves, transport operators have to pay in order to operate.
Others openly defended the “boteros.” "It's not the taxi driver's fault," stated a user. In a similar vein, another commented, "But it's not the taxi driver's fault; let that be clear. They can't pay for gas at 3,000 and take you for 100 pesos." It was also noted, "The person in the car is not to blame; they're just trying to survive too."
However, numerous comments pointed to the structural background of the problem. "The government is to blame," wrote one user. Another noted: "Don't take a ride, go by bicycle or on foot, blame Díaz-Canel, he's the one responsible." It was also read: "Complain if it's state-owned, if it's private, you don't have to ride."
In addition to the route mentioned in the original post, users shared prices for other routes in Havana and other provinces. "From Guanabo to Havana or Virgen, even if you stay in Alamar, it's 1000," one person noted. Another commented, "From Cotorro to Havana, they asked a woman for 800$." Figures such as "Havana - Santiago de las Vegas today for 1000" and "From Santiago de las Vegas to Havana, they are charging 1000 pesos" were also mentioned.
In some cases, the debate turned into open calls for protest. "Get out on the streets like on 11/7 and the dictatorship will fall dramatically ... in days," wrote one user. Another questioned the lack of unity: "Keep on with the blah blah blah. And don’t come together with each other."
The discussion arises shortly after a video circulated in which a private taxi driver was fined for charging 600 CUP for a ride from Santiago de las Vegas to Havana, during an operation conducted by inspectors posing as passengers. In that exchange, the driver cited the high cost of fuel and the widespread increase in prices for goods, while the official imposed the fine, as seen in the tense face-to-face encounter between a taxi driver and an inspector in Havana.
In a context of public transport scarcity and difficulties in accessing fuel, private transportation has become one of the main alternatives for thousands of Cubans who need to travel to their workplaces, hospitals, or to carry out basic errands. However, the sustained rise in prices, coupled with low state salaries, has deepened social discontent.
The initial post, which merely expressed fatigue over the price of the fare, ended up highlighting a broader reality: widespread inflation, the precariousness of state transportation, and a society divided between those who blame private entities and those who point to the State as responsible for the crisis.
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