A Cuban who identifies on TikTok as @carlossalfran103, nicknamed "the hitman," posted a defiant video from a car wash in Cuba where he shows off his vehicle and sarcastically anticipates the reactions of those who criticize him.
"Now I’m posting this video and I'm sitting down to read the comments from the envious," declared the man in the 26-second clip, recorded on May 3, 2026.
In the images, the user showcases their car while making references to having "everything nice" and drops phrases like "that's what's needed here," in a clearly provocative tone aimed at those who might question their display of wealth.
The video did not go unnoticed: it garnered 28,000 views, 405 likes, and 58 comments, figures that reflect the impact this type of content generates on an island where owning a modern car is equivalent to a symbol of extreme status.
The context explains everything: the average salary in Cuba ranges from 2,100 to 4,000 Cuban pesos per month, equivalent to between seven and less than 20 dollars. An imported mid-range car can cost between $15,900 and over $50,000, figures that are unattainable for the vast majority of the population that relies on the state salary.
Additionally, the price of gasoline in the informal market reached between 4,000 and 6,000 pesos per liter in recent months, surpassing the entire monthly salary of a state worker. Washing a car at a car wash— a service that requires water, electricity, and available funds—thus takes on a tremendous symbolic weight amidst power outages of up to 20 hours a day.
This video is part of a trend that has been proliferating on TikTok for months, where Cubans living on the island showcase cars, modern houses, and scarce goods, eliciting polarized reactions ranging from admiration to accusations of callous ostentation.
In January 2026, the user @jeancaimanera boasted of a white Peugeot valued at $20,000 with the phrase "Securing what’s mine, let the workers work."
In June, a Cuban woman showcased two cars, her own home, and uninterrupted electricity, reaching 1.8 million views and sparking a divide on social media.
That same month, Yeniel Camejo showcased a modern house and car in Cuba with the message "another achievement in my life," garnering over 82,900 views.
In May, another Cuban showcased a Toyota Corolla with solar panels and exceeded 213,400 views, although the controversy focused on the contrast between the modern car and the zinc roof of his home.
The gap highlighted by these videos separates those who have access to foreign currency—linked to the private sector, tourism, or remittances—from those who survive on a state salary amid one of the worst economic and energy crises that Cuba has experienced in decades.
The regime attempted to ease restrictions on the automotive market: in June 2026, it announced the elimination of restrictions on the acquisition and importation of vehicles by individuals and businesses, although the fuel crisis and inflation make owning a car prohibitively expensive for most.
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