Search results for: MLC

After a Pause Caused by the Effects of Hurricane Melissa, in Cuba the Dollar Rises Again

Officialdom has failed in its attempt to disqualify the publication of informal exchange rates by El Toque 14ymedio, Madrid, November 10, 2025 — As expected by the specialists, after a few days of truce in which its price began a rapid fall from 490 pesos to 410, the dollar is back up strongly on the … Continue reading “After a Pause Caused by the Effects of Hurricane Melissa, in Cuba the Dollar Rises Again”

The Cuban Government Owes Beekeepers Approximately $20 Million for Honey Exports

In 2024, sales in foreign currency are estimated to have reached $45 million for more than 8,000 tonnes. 14ymedio, Mercedes García, Sancti Spíritus, 25 July 2025 — “Climbing the walls” is how Normando, a beekeeper from the municipality of Manicaragua in Villa Clara, describes his situation. The state has not paid him for the honey … Continue reading “The Cuban Government Owes Beekeepers Approximately $20 Million for Honey Exports”

“I Don’t Know Where People Get the Dollars, But They’re Buying Them in Bulk”

Eggs imported from Brazil are priced in dollars in San José de las Lajas and sold in minutes. 14ymedio, Julio César Contreras, San José de Las Lajas (Mayabeque)/ The white lights of the La Época market in San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, illuminate the rows of eggs stacked on the counter. Arriving customers observe and … Continue reading ““I Don’t Know Where People Get the Dollars, But They’re Buying Them in Bulk””

A New Card and the Same Trick: Cuban Doctors in Angola Still Can’t Collect Their Pay in Dollars

The authorities advance a new payment mechanism to settle complaints, but the doctors still demand payment in dollars 14ymedio, Havana. Natalia López Moya, October 28, 2025 — “We are somewhat resigned, but not at all in agreement,” said Héctor, a Cuban doctor in Angola who participated in the meeting on October 23 between health workers … Continue reading “A New Card and the Same Trick: Cuban Doctors in Angola Still Can’t Collect Their Pay in Dollars”

The Tobacco Growers of Pinar Del Río Are Leaving Tobacco and Planting Food

Farmers demand a share of the “fresh dollars that go into the State coffers” 14ymedio, Havana, October 18, 2025 — The month of October is an ordeal for the tobacco farmers (vergueros) of Pinar del Río. The heavy rains of recent weeks have complicated the early stages of the tobacco campaign, a battle now taking … Continue reading “The Tobacco Growers of Pinar Del Río Are Leaving Tobacco and Planting Food”

Unable To Compete With the Black Market, “International” Cuba’s Pharmacies Are Dollarizing

In these stores you can’t get aspirin or dipyrone, but vitamins or cough syrups are available at stratospheric prices. 14ymedio, Olea Gallardo, Havana, October 9, 2025 — “Payment in dollars, starting October 1st.” This information surprised the few customers of the Sevilla Hotel pharmacy on Tuesday, the employees heard. Until just a few days ago, … Continue reading “Unable To Compete With the Black Market, “International” Cuba’s Pharmacies Are Dollarizing”

The Private Sector Has Become the Main Producer of Rice in Cuba

Despite the good performance of a Vietnamese company, only 10% of national consumption was covered in 2024 14ymedio, Madrid, October 8, 2025 — The participation of the private sector in rice production has grown so much that it has already exceeded the State’s contribution. Based on official information, the economist Pedro Monreal deduces that private … Continue reading “The Private Sector Has Become the Main Producer of Rice in Cuba”

“My Mother Hasn’t Received a Centavo Since May,” Says a Cuban Doctor Stationed in Angola

With delays in payments and vacations postponed, the situation of the Cuban personnel has worsened since the protests against Antex 14ymedio, Havana, Natalia López Moya, September 27, 2025 — Discontent continues to grow among Cuban doctors in Angola. To the discomfort caused by the official decision to transfer part of their savings to a Classic … Continue reading ““My Mother Hasn’t Received a Centavo Since May,” Says a Cuban Doctor Stationed in Angola”

After Years of Complaints From Tobacco Producers, Tabacuba Buys Fuel Trucks To Guarantee the Harvest

The State wants to avoid “intermediaries” and make sure that the fuel reaches the tobacco companies. 14ymedio, Havana, September 21, 2025 — The news published week after week in the official press about Tabacuba begins to have a pattern: fearing that tobacco production will fall and with it the large hard currency revenues it generates, … Continue reading “After Years of Complaints From Tobacco Producers, Tabacuba Buys Fuel Trucks To Guarantee the Harvest”

Cuba’s Tabacuba Offers a Way out of the Devalued ‘Freely Convertible Currency’ That It Pays Tobacco Producers

The first store in Cuba in freely convertible currency for tools and supplies opens for tobacco producers 14ymedio, Havana, September 19, 2025 –The first freely convertible currency (MLC) tobacco supply store opened this Thursday in Pînar del Río. The store, which the authorities presented as just one of many that they want to open so … Continue reading “Cuba’s Tabacuba Offers a Way out of the Devalued ‘Freely Convertible Currency’ That It Pays Tobacco Producers”

At the Calle Cuba Store in Camagüey, the Dollar Has Free Rein

“If that store is in dollars, I can’t enter,” complains an elderly Party activist. 14ymedio, Mercedes García, Camagüey, 26 August 2025 — Cubans who handle dollars are distinguished by certain outfits and attitudes. Many wear branded clothing, gold chains and use perfumes that remain in the air after they have already left. Shops in US … Continue reading “At the Calle Cuba Store in Camagüey, the Dollar Has Free Rein”

Santiago De Cuba Police Investigate the Discovery of a Human Head in a Dumpster

The event has caused a social commotion in the eastern capital, where violence is growing. 14ymedio, Havana, August 26, 2025 — Workers of the Comunales of Santiago de Cuba found this Tuesday a human head “swollen and in decomposition” inside a dumpster at El Salao, Micro 3 of the Abel Santamaría Urban Center. The finding … Continue reading “Santiago De Cuba Police Investigate the Discovery of a Human Head in a Dumpster”

The Fall of Cuba’s ‘Freely Convertible Currency’ Sinks Private Tobacco Producers in Pinar del Río

A ‘veguero’ from San Juan y Martínez points out the unfair treatment by Tabacuba, which gets richer while the ‘guajiros’ get poorer. 14ymedio, Madrid, August 11, 2025 — Alfredo Pérez, a veguero of the best tobacco area in Cuba, San Juan y Martínez (Pinar del Río), has put a damper on the fiesta in the … Continue reading “The Fall of Cuba’s ‘Freely Convertible Currency’ Sinks Private Tobacco Producers in Pinar del Río”

A Hard-Currency Incentive Is Promised to the Charcoal Producers of Pinar Del Río, Cuba

This measure aims to increase exports to 250 tons, which barely reached 36 tons in 2024. 14ymedio, Havana, August 11, 2025 — The Pinar del Río Agroforestry Company only exported 36 tons of charcoal out of the 400 tons it produced last year, but it promises very different results for 2025. According to its director, … Continue reading “A Hard-Currency Incentive Is Promised to the Charcoal Producers of Pinar Del Río, Cuba”

Cuba’s Guantánamo Official Press Lashes Out Against the ‘Virus’ of Dollarization

Venceremos laments the loss in value of the MLC (Freely Convertible Currency) and its replacement by the “empire’s” currency. 14ymedio, Havana, 10 August 2025 — The official newspaper Venceremos, organ of the Communist Party in Guantánamo, has described the phenomenon of dollarization with an unusually critical tone. The text emphasizes the gradual disappearance of shops … Continue reading “Cuba’s Guantánamo Official Press Lashes Out Against the ‘Virus’ of Dollarization”