The Cuban influencer Iraisel Pintueles responded to a wave of criticism on social media after posting a promotional video for a Mipyme selling fuel in Cuba, amidst the worst gasoline crisis the island has faced in decades.
The controversy erupted when Iraisel shared an advertisement for @agranel_atumedida on Instagram, presented as the first private company dedicated specifically to supplying fuel to other businesses and citizens without state mediation. The post sparked a wave of criticism from Cubans both on the island and abroad, who questioned the appropriateness of promoting such a business when the price of gasoline in the informal market can reach up to 8,000 Cuban pesos and the lines at state-owned gas stations extend up to 15 hours.
In response to the criticism, the influencer replied on Monday with a lengthy post on Instagram that garnered over 3,500 likes and 428 comments, where she did not hold back in defending herself.
"Cubans are discontented beings, judges of things we do not know and often do not understand," Iraisel began, before listing the contradictions that, according to her, any Cuban attempting to work in the country faces: "If there is a business, it's bad; if there isn't, it's worse. If you protest or express your opinion, it's bad... if you don't, it's because no one wants to take the blame. If you work, it's bad, but if you don't, it's even worse."
Regarding her relationship with the company, she was categorical: "The Mipyme I work with IS A PRIVATE ENTITY with foreign capital, has no connection whatsoever with any person or member of the government, pays taxes, and has its documentation and permits in order to supply fuel to other private entities and to Cubans without state mediation."
Iraisel also rejected the accusations of living outside the daily hardships faced by the population: "Please, I am not responsible for any situation that exists in my country. The electricity goes out on me like it does for everyone, I run out of water like everyone else, and I suffer the same general hardships of Cuba as everyone else because I live here."
The company @agranel_atumedida, located in Arroyo Arenas, La Lisa, Havana, offers diesel starting at 1.75 dollars per liter according to customs data, and primarily targets private businesses.
The context in which this controversy arises is particularly sensitive. Since May 15, 2026, the regime eliminated the fixed price of gasoline and adopted a floating scheme with exclusive sales in dollars through an official application, which excludes most Cubans who earn in pesos.
In February 2026, the regime had formally authorized Mipymes to import fuel, although under the mandatory intermediation of state importers such as QUIMIMPORT or MAPRINTER and with an explicit prohibition on resale.
Despite these restrictions, a secondary market has emerged among private companies operating in a legal gray area, lacking a clear regulatory framework, where those who manage to import fuel sell it to other small and medium-sized enterprises (Mipymes).
Iraisel concluded her statement with a defense of the model she represents: “Cuba is surviving thanks to those who choose to invest here, despite all the risks that entails,” and added that what the company does falls within free trade “as a means to open all businesses to the private sector.”
Filed under: