Search results for: MSME

The Government’s Raids on the ‘Boteros’ Annoy the Private Taxi Drivers of Havana

Planted in key points of the city, the inspectors seek to identify the drivers who transport passengers without a permit 14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 22 August 2024 — In Havana, a game of hide-and-seek between private taxi drivers and inspectors has been unleashed in recent days. The former, for the most part without permission … Continue reading “The Government’s Raids on the ‘Boteros’ Annoy the Private Taxi Drivers of Havana”

A Private Company Is Hired in Havana To Collect Mountains of Accumulated Garbage

People must deposit solid waste in designated areas starting at 6:00 p.m. 14ymedio, Havana, 21 August 2024 — Havana’s municipality of Cerro has turned to a private company to collect the mountains of garbage that have accumulated for months in the streets. In the area, one of the most densely populated in the Cuban capital, … Continue reading “A Private Company Is Hired in Havana To Collect Mountains of Accumulated Garbage”

The Mystery of the Dominican Eggs at Half Price: They Arrived in Cuba and Disappeared

14ymedio, Natalia López Moya, 19 August 2024 — A candle with the number seven is all that Jean Carlos’ family has for the cake they need to celebrate his birthday this Tuesday. The shortage of eggs has caused a crisis in the private sweet shops that prepare the traditional cakes, made with brown sugar and … Continue reading “The Mystery of the Dominican Eggs at Half Price: They Arrived in Cuba and Disappeared”

In July, Prices Continued To Rise at an Annual Rate Just Over 30 Percent in Cuba

The Cuban State spent almost 39% more than it did in 2023, according to official figures EFE/14ymedio, Havana, 15 August 2024 — Inflation remains unstoppable in Cuba and grew at an annual rate of 30.48% in July, according to data provided this Thursday by the National Office of Statistics and Information (Onei). The variation of … Continue reading “In July, Prices Continued To Rise at an Annual Rate Just Over 30 Percent in Cuba”

The Ten Peso “Generalísimo” Banknotes Lose Their Validity in Cuba

Banks make retirement payments with mountains of worn-out bills that the shops reject 14ymedio, Natalia López Moya, Havana, 8 August 8, 2024 — “We don’t accept ten-peso bills,” warns a merchant on Galiano Street, in Havana, to a customer who extends 30 ten-peso banknotes to pay for a container of descaling liquid for bathrooms. “Later … Continue reading “The Ten Peso “Generalísimo” Banknotes Lose Their Validity in Cuba”

Built in 1912 by an Italian Architect, the Ten Cent Building in Cienfuegos, Cuba, is Wobbling

14ymedio, Julio César Contreras, Cienfuegos, 10 August 10, 2024 — Each city on the Island with a certain economic accommodation had a Ten Cent store during Cuba’s Republican years. Built many times to order, designed by foreign architects and managed by American chains, those retail stores used to be the center of boulevards and shopping … Continue reading “Built in 1912 by an Italian Architect, the Ten Cent Building in Cienfuegos, Cuba, is Wobbling”

The High Cost of Living in Cuba and Social Justice

These poor people, without a safe roof, without electricity or running water, find no other way to revolt than to make the bang on pots and pans in the middle of a blackout. 14ymedio, Reinaldo Escobar, Havana, 2 July 2024 –When in the 1970s, and even in the 1980s, communist ideologues explained to us that … Continue reading “The High Cost of Living in Cuba and Social Justice”

The Minister of Transport Describes an Alarming Situation for the Roads in Cuba

The problem is due, among other reasons, to the fact that only 13 of the 25 asphalt plants are functioning 14ymedio, Havana, July 27, 2024 –In Cuba there are “quality problems in road repairs, and a lack of discipline and organization in interventions.” The euphemisms to disguise the unfortunate state of Cuban roads – and … Continue reading “The Minister of Transport Describes an Alarming Situation for the Roads in Cuba”

With the Loss of 50 Percent of Its Income From Foreign Currency, the ‘Cuban System’ Has Collapsed

Cuba Siglo XXI publishes a report signed by economist Emilio Morales 14ymedio, Madrid, July 25, 2024 — In three key points – the collapse of medical service exports, the fall in remittances and the debacle of tourism – economist Emilio Morales deciphers the collapse of the “Cuban system.” In the most recent report of the … Continue reading “With the Loss of 50 Percent of Its Income From Foreign Currency, the ‘Cuban System’ Has Collapsed”

Health and Education Workers Are Among the Lowest Paid in Cuba

The private sector is growing to the detriment of state-owned companies, which have ceased to be the economic engine 14ymedio, Madrid, July 24, 2024 — Despite the obstinacy of the authorities in qualifying the socialist enterprise as the “main mover of the Cuban economy,” the data are stubborn: the only sector in which employment is … Continue reading “Health and Education Workers Are Among the Lowest Paid in Cuba”

Voting With Our Feet, Emigration as a Gesture of Rejection of the Cuban Model

By the end of the 21st century, there will be nearly half as many people in Cuba as now. 14ymedio, Yoani Sánchez, Generation Y, Havana, 24 July 2024 — They could not hide it any longer. The almost empty streets on weekends, the classrooms that are running out of students and the packed airport lounges … Continue reading “Voting With Our Feet, Emigration as a Gesture of Rejection of the Cuban Model”

The Revolt of the Black Beans in Cuba

“A pound is so expensive that I haven’t given myself that luxury in a long time” 14ymedio, Natalia López Moya, Havana, 21 July 2024 — It is the litmus test for those who prepare Cuban recipes. Anyone can graduate in tostones or ropa vieja, but the diploma of skill in traditional dishes is only obtained … Continue reading “The Revolt of the Black Beans in Cuba”

Cuba’s General Controller Is Dismissed, and a Hard Hand Is Requested Against ‘The Scoundrels and the Bums’

President Díaz-Canel says that private businesses in Cuba “do not have” the Government’s confidence 14ymedio, Havana, July 20, 2024 — The General Controller of Cuba, Gladys Bejerano, in office for 14 years, was removed from her position, as confirmed by Miguel Díaz-Canel this Friday. The president, defending a policy of “severity,” unexpectedly announced the dismissal … Continue reading “Cuba’s General Controller Is Dismissed, and a Hard Hand Is Requested Against ‘The Scoundrels and the Bums’”

Marrero Blames Private Businesses for the State Deficit and Praises Forced Sales for Violations of Capped Prices

According to the Prime Minister, private individuals evaded 50 billion* pesos, and 354 sales of ’hidden’ products had to be forced 14ymedio, Madrid, July 18, 2024 — We could not expect anything other than a long list of economic penalties from Prime Minister Manuel Marrero’s intervention this Wednesday in Parliament, in which he evaluated the … Continue reading “Marrero Blames Private Businesses for the State Deficit and Praises Forced Sales for Violations of Capped Prices”

Almost 400 Private Businesses Are Fined for Violating Price Caps While Products Disappear

Readers of the official press are divided between those in favour of a heavy hand and those against the government’s measures 14ymedio, Madrid, 12 July 2024 — In less than 72 hours, the Cuban authorities already had almost 400 violators of the price cap for six basic products that came into force on Monday. Last … Continue reading “Almost 400 Private Businesses Are Fined for Violating Price Caps While Products Disappear”