Roy Pérez, a Cuban content creator currently residing in London, has taken to Facebook to expose a troubling reality: the dire situation of the Cuban populace has become the foundation of a profitable business network thriving both inside and outside Cuba.
"Folks, there's a whole business empire set up in Cuba, and it's built entirely on the country's misery, the suffering of everyone within it, and the burden placed on those living abroad to solve these hardships," Pérez declares in his video.
As a cruise director, Pérez is constantly bombarded with targeted advertisements online aimed at Cubans living abroad: "Buy a solar panel from me. Purchase an EcoFlow. I'm selling this and that, folks... How much longer?"
Pérez's outrage stems not from the existence of this market, but from the fact that it is fueled by Cubans themselves. "It's an enormous business, a whole enterprise built on the misery of Cubans. It's outrageous!" he exclaims.
The Business of Scarcity and Suffering in Cuba
Roy Pérez's observations are backed by concrete, documented events. In May 2026, amidst a fuel crisis, platforms like Supermarket23 and Katapulk began selling 10 kg liquefied gas cylinders for $29, initially delivering only in Havana and requiring empty cylinders to be returned in good condition.
KMCERO entered this market with a price of $24, while on the informal market, these cylinders were resold for up to $50.
The installation and sale of solar panels have also become a burgeoning sector during the crisis. According to a report by El País, solar panels are "the business of the moment" in Cuba, with basic systems starting at $800.
Private companies like SunCar, along with other small and medium-sized enterprises, are competing and specializing in installing photovoltaic solar panels and creating energy independence solutions for homes, businesses, and industries in Cuba.
In July 2026, the joint venture Cuba-China SUMAI S.A. announced the opening of a store in El Vedado to sell solar panels, food, building materials, and appliances, all priced in dollars.
From Miami, food packages are also being sent. In March 2025, entrepreneur and reggaeton artist El Micha launched his platform Mercadame, distributing food packages from the United States to Cuba, priced in dollars.
Since June 2026, shipments from Miami to provinces throughout Cuba have included charcoal stoves, rechargeable batteries, portable stations, and solar plants.
This business ecosystem is built upon a structural transformation that began solidifying in 2021 with the legalization of small and medium-sized enterprises. By September 2025, the regime had approved over 11,000 private companies.
The Cuban private sector accounts for approximately 15% of the GDP and controls 55% of retail trade, operating in an environment where the state fails to provide basic goods.
The paradox highlighted by Roy Pérez is that while this model addresses genuine needs, it simultaneously turns the structural deficiencies of the Cuban system into a sustained commercial opportunity.
"We are the ones who allow this macabre enterprise, whose raw material is misery, to continue thriving," he reflects.
Understanding the Business Model Exploiting Cuba's Crisis
What is the main concern raised by Roy Pérez?
Roy Pérez is concerned about how the misery and hardships faced by Cubans have been transformed into a lucrative business both inside and outside of Cuba. He highlights the exploitation of these conditions for profit.
How are businesses profiting from the Cuban crisis?
Businesses are profiting by selling essential goods like gas cylinders and solar panels at high prices, exploiting the desperate needs of the Cuban people amidst shortages and economic hardships.
What role do Cubans living abroad play in this business ecosystem?
Cubans living abroad are targeted by advertisements encouraging them to purchase goods for their families in Cuba, effectively supporting and sustaining the business ecosystem based on scarcity in Cuba.