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While the world discusses artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, a young man named Leo in Holguín has introduced his own version of the future with a vehicle affectionately dubbed "La Perrona." This creation features three wheels and a body made of stainless steel (or nearly so), and those who have taken it for a spin claim it speeds along faster than neighborhood gossip.
The closed-cabin motorized tricycle, featuring a welded metal body and a sturdy appearance, has become a social media sensation after being posted by the Facebook page Soy Holguín, where internet users immediately nicknamed it "the Cuban cybertruck."
Affectionately nicknamed "La Perrona," the vehicle operates as collective transportation on the route between the Vladimir I. Lenin General Hospital and the town of San Andrés, near the city of Holguín in eastern Cuba.
According to the comments on the post, it was built by a young man named Leo, who invested his own savings to create it from scratch and earn a living while simultaneously addressing the mobility issue in his community.
"A young man's treasure from Cuba in search of bread for his family. Good luck, Leo. Always move forward, brother," wrote Duniesky Leyva Guerrero.
The comparison with Elon Musk's Cybertruck soon emerged. "The Cuban Cybertruck," wrote Camila Cartaya. "That's a cubanoski rusoski cybertruck," joked Mari Caser. Yuli Font went further: "That's the great-great-grandfather of the Tesla."
Other users compared it to "The Beast," the armored presidential vehicle of the United States, to the Batmobile, and even to "an armored rikimbili."
Those who have driven it claim that appearances can be deceiving. "It's one of the most comfortable and fastest cars out there," said Elianet Velázquez.
Yami Vela Cruz specified that she covered the route from Lenin hospital to San Andrés in 16 minutes, while Adrián Cano did it in 23. "Whoever wants to fly low can hop on there; it's super San Andrés in 23 minutes, even though the road is in bad shape," she stated
Amalia Isa Rodríguez, who claims to be well acquainted with the vehicle, warned that driving it is not for everyone. "Only he can handle that; you need to have a lot of finesse to drive it, otherwise, you'll end up in a ditch. But I assure you, it's very comfortable."
Not all the comments were celebratory. Alberto Quesada was straightforward. "There is nothing novel about this; it is the result of the misery and need that we Cubans endure. While the world progresses in technology, Cuba is regressing toward a primitive community."
Gimel González pointed to the root of the problem. "If it weren't for the misfortune that befell us on January 1, 1959, Cuba would be one of the best countries in the world; we only need to look at how Cubans thrive and succeed when they leave Cuba."
The "cybertruck" in Holguín is not an isolated case. Cuba is undergoing the worst transportation crisis in its recent history. Public transportation only meets 42% of its planned targets, and bus production has plummeted from 473 units in 2019 to just 12 projected for this year, a drop of 97.5%, according to economist Pedro Monreal.
In February, all urban bus routes in Havana were suspended due to a lack of fuel.
In response to this void, Cubans have demonstrated ingenuity. In Matanzas, the "electric polaquito" emerged, featuring a 2,000-watt motor; in Mayabeque, a mechanic adapted a 1980 Polish car to run on charcoal, a story that reached the Reuters news agency; and in Villa Clara, a solar bus was introduced as a mobile electric charging station.
More than 40,000 artisan vehicles operate in rural areas of Cuba since they were legalized in 2021 through Resolution 200.
Marianela Treche Cruz summarized the feelings of many: "It's well done with love to fight and with decisions to address the transportation problem of the town, which brings bitterness and has no means of getting around."
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