Search results for: MLC

Price Controls Put an End to Sandwiches, Pizzas and Soft Drinks in Artemisa

14ymedio, Bertha K. Guillén, Candalaria, December 10, 2020 — After months-long closures due to the pandemic, private businesses in Artemisa province have a new problem: the imposition of price controls on many of the foods they offer in their cafes. Provincial authorities have ordered price caps on items such as pizzas, sandwiches and peanut nougat. “In … Continue reading “Price Controls Put an End to Sandwiches, Pizzas and Soft Drinks in Artemisa”

January 1st is the Date Set for Currency Unification in Cuba

14ymedio, Havana, December 10, 2020 — One of the most frequently asked questions in Cuba in recent years has finally been answered: currency unification will begin January 1, 2021, putting an end to the Cuban convertible peso* (CUC). The date was announced by President Miguel Díaz-Canel during a special broadcast on national television. It will be … Continue reading “January 1st is the Date Set for Currency Unification in Cuba”

Wanted by Everyone, Caught by Few, Cuban Rice is Now for Sale in Dollars

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 8 December 2020 — Until recently, coffee shops advertised “rice with steak”, “congrí (black beans and rice) and yucca,” “yellow rice with sausage,” and other combinations where the grain reigned, as it does in every Cuban table. But the product, missing from the unrationed market, is now only found on the black market … Continue reading “Wanted by Everyone, Caught by Few, Cuban Rice is Now for Sale in Dollars”

Dollar Stores Subsidize Social Justice, Says Cuba’s Economy Minister

14ymedio, December 4, 2020 — Economy and Planning Minister Alejandro Gil Fernandez appeared on Thursday’s “Roundtable” State TV program in an effort to calm the growing popular discontent over hard-currency stores. His words, however, had the opposite effect. The minister’s statements outraged many Cubans, who expressed disagreement on the streets and in social media. Most … Continue reading “Dollar Stores Subsidize Social Justice, Says Cuba’s Economy Minister”

Soldiers Deployed to Guard Hard Currency Stores

14ymedio, Havana, December 1, 2020 — The areas around several Havana stores have been under heavy guard by military and special forces troops since Monday when windows in one of the stores were smashed. Purchases at these stores, known locally as MLCs (the Spanish initials for “Freely Convertible Currency”), can only be made with foreign currency, … Continue reading “Soldiers Deployed to Guard Hard Currency Stores”

Slogans Against Cuban ‘Dollar Stores’ Painted on Walls in Cienfuegos

14ymedio, Luis Daniel Fernández Monzón, Havana, 5 December 2020 — Several graffiti appearing on the walls in the small city of Cruces, in Cienfuegos province, surprised  the town’s inhabitants on Thursday. “Down with the dictatorship,” “We want the dollar stores closed,” and “Long Live Free Cuba, down with Dias [sic… it should be ‘Diaz’] Canel,” … Continue reading “Slogans Against Cuban ‘Dollar Stores’ Painted on Walls in Cienfuegos”

In Cuba Inflation is Oval and Comes in an Egg Carton

14ymedio, Havana, 4 November 2020 — After looking for eggs for two weeks, Leonel has no choice but to accept the law of the street and pay more than five pesos for each one. “I just bought a carton of 30 eggs for 175 pesos, each one is more than 5.80 [Cuban pesos, roughly 25¢ … Continue reading “In Cuba Inflation is Oval and Comes in an Egg Carton”

Western Union Employee Says Fincimex Lies: "They Have Not Ordered Us to Close"

14ymedio, Havana, 27 October 2020 —  Fincimex, one of the companies in Cuba’s military conglomerate GAESA, reported in an ambiguous statement that they will close the 407 Western Union offices in Cuba, after the new provisions announced by the United States last Friday which prohibit the sending of remittances through companies linked to the military. In a call from this … Continue reading “Western Union Employee Says Fincimex Lies: "They Have Not Ordered Us to Close"”

Small Cuban Businesses Will Try to Replace Western Union’s Services

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 26 October 2020 — The lines at several of the Western Union branches in Havana were longer than usual this Monday, three days after the US Government announced that it will prohibit the sending of remittances to Cuba through companies controlled by military. The conversations among those who waited ranged from uncertainty … Continue reading “Small Cuban Businesses Will Try to Replace Western Union’s Services”

Cuba’s Central Bank Freezes Hard Currency Deposits of Protestant Churches

14ymedio, Manuel Calvo, Santiago de Cuba, 25 October 2020 — Money in the form of hard currency comes into their accounts at the International Financial Bank, but they are not issued magnetic cards or given cash to be able to spend it in the stores that take only ’freely convertible currency’ (MCL). This is the … Continue reading “Cuba’s Central Bank Freezes Hard Currency Deposits of Protestant Churches”

Hair Tied Up, Life in Cuba Without Shampoo

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 23 October 2020 — Washed faces and hair up in a bun or spruced up with a scarf. It is the maximum beauty treatment that women can aspire to in a country where not only are creams and makeup scarce, but where even shampoo is not available. Emilia Domínguez is 63 … Continue reading “Hair Tied Up, Life in Cuba Without Shampoo”

The Dollar Seizes the Carlos III Shopping Center in Havana

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez / Mario J. Pentón, Havana / Miami, 12 October 2020 — Carlos III Plaza Commercial, one of the largest shopping areas in the Cuban capital, reopened this Monday with an important change: from now on you can only buy in foreign currency. The same has happened with most of the large stores … Continue reading “The Dollar Seizes the Carlos III Shopping Center in Havana”

Packages of ‘Cubita’ Coffee Found in Canada are Fake, While There’s No Cuban Coffee on the Island

14ymedio, Havana, 6 October 2020 — Coffee, sugar, rum, and tobacco have for decades been emblematic of Cuba, but some of these products have disappeared or must now be imported. Cuban coffee, that star of story and song, is now unavailable in the stores, while its appearance abroad may be a false sighting. While buying … Continue reading “Packages of ‘Cubita’ Coffee Found in Canada are Fake, While There’s No Cuban Coffee on the Island”

Machetes and Oxen Yokes are on Sale for Dollars but Tractors, Forget It

14ymedio, Havana, 14 September 2020 — Yokes for oxen, horseshoes and wire for perimeter fences are some of the items for sale in the recently issued foreign currency sales catalog focused on the Cuban agricultural sector. The dollar has arrived in the fields but still in a limited way. The farmers can make purchases in … Continue reading “Machetes and Oxen Yokes are on Sale for Dollars but Tractors, Forget It”

Several Cashiers at Currency Exchanges in Santiago de Cuba Arrested for Illegal Sale of Foreign Currency

14ymedio, Havana, 15 September 2020 —  An operation coordinated by the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Police in Santiago de Cuba dismantled a network that was dedicated to the sale of foreign currency for the acquisition of household appliances. Several employees of the exchange houses (Cadeca) and informal vendors were part of the group. A report … Continue reading “Several Cashiers at Currency Exchanges in Santiago de Cuba Arrested for Illegal Sale of Foreign Currency”