A clip posted on TikTok by the user @maykel.nuez5 has sparked a new debate about inequality in Cuba by showcasing several high-end BMW cars on the island.
The video, published on Wednesday night, garnered over 42,100 views, 1,888 "likes," and 131 comments in just a few hours, generating numerous reactions among social media users.
The image of luxury vehicles parked in Cuba elicits divided reactions among those who admire them and those who question the contrast with the economic difficulties faced by a large part of the population.
Many internet users described the protagonists of "pan con bistec," a popular Cuban expression used to refer to people who return to Cuba and display a privileged or ostentatious economic situation.
The comments ranged from irony to disbelief. "That's tough, but paying for the review on those babies is hard," wrote one user; another pointed out, "It's an amazing car, but not for that place"; a third added, "Right now here in the U.S., even if you pay, you won't see them driving that."
The presence of luxury cars in Cuba has gained visibility in recent years and acquired a new context starting January 1, 2025, when the Decree 119 of 2024 by the Council of Ministers came into effect, introducing changes in the importation, marketing, and transfer of ownership of motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers.
Since then, numerous videos of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mustang, Camaro, and other high-end vehicles have circulated on social media in Cuban streets. However, in many cases, the posts do not provide verifiable information about the identity of their owners, the origin of the vehicles, or how they were paid for.
Among the most discussed cases is a BMW M8 Competition valued at over 200,000 dollars that was filmed being unloaded from a container, as well as a BMW M5 2026 that sparked controversy due to its high price. Both cases went viral in November 2025.
The images once again highlight the growing gap between those who have access to foreign currency and can purchase high-value goods, and a significant portion of the Cuban population, who continue to face blackouts, fuel and food shortages, and a persistent loss of purchasing power.
Poverty has also become one of the most concerning indicators of the Cuban crisis. Various studies and independent organizations have warned in recent years about the deterioration of living conditions and the rise of extreme poverty on the island, although estimates vary based on the methodology and time period analyzed.
In this context, the emergence of vehicles valued at tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars inevitably leads to comparisons with the income of most Cubans and fuels the debate on social media about inequality, emigration, and access to foreign currency.
A young Cuban who returned to the island with a luxury vehicle purchased in the United States previously summarized his decision straightforwardly: "I left Cuba to earn, not to work and live on bills."
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