The Cuban influencer Iraisel Pintueles has ignited social media once again by posting a new video on Instagram promoting the fuel Mipyme in Havana, as Cuba faces one of the worst gasoline shortages in decades.
In the clip, Iraisel guides her followers from the Malecón, along the port avenue, to the company's warehouses, enthusiastically describing the purchasing process: "You arrive, create your invoice, make the payment, and take your fuel without complications, with a team that guides you throughout the entire process."
The Mipyme offers diesel and gasoline in 20 and 200-liter formats, as well as tanker trucks for distribution and home delivery. For Iraisel, "when it comes to something so important, trust, security, and good service make all the difference."
The problem is the context: Cuba has been experiencing blackouts for up to four days, 15-hour lines at state gas stations, and prices in the informal market that have reached 8,000 Cuban pesos per liter. The sight of warehouses overflowing with fuel available for those who can pay in dollars was not well received at all.
Criticism arrived quickly. The most voted comment, with 184 reactions, bluntly summarized it: "Then they say that the blockade is the cause, but look at how there is everything, just not for the regular people." Another user, with 131 likes, directly asked for "a little respect for the everyday people, empathy for the Cubans." A third, with 89 reactions, ironically wondered: "Super easy... can a doctor go? Or a teacher? And can a retiree make a quick trip to sort out fuel?"
There were some who were more direct: "This kind of advertising is shocking for any Cuban living in Cuba who is facing all kinds of hardships." And another comment that struck hard: "Words fail me... my brother walks to work every day because there is no fuel to transport workers... I wouldn't have the nerve or the face to promote something that I know the vast majority of Cubans cannot afford."
The video was reposted on TikTok, where content creator @dallanayroman stated bluntly: "This is mockery in every sense of the word... a woman is washing the face of the dictatorship."
It's not the first time. In June 2026, Iraisel was involved in a similar controversy with an initial video from the same Mipyme, which led her to publish an extensive statement defending the company as "a private entity with foreign capital, with no connection whatsoever to any person or member of the government." Now, with the second video, the criticisms have returned even more amplified.
"Many gasolines and diesel, and all of Cuba with a power outage," summarized another comment, reflecting the mix of anger and resignation that characterizes the mood of many Cubans regarding this new controversy.
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