English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
14ymedio, Havana, 9 November 2020 — “We invite our clients to speed up shipments to their relatives in Cuba,” advised Khalid Fellahi, general manager of Western Union Digital, assuring that the more than 400 offices the company has on the island are currently operating. “It is important that your loved ones collect the funds sent … Continue reading “‘Accelerate Shipments to Your Relatives in Cuba’ Advises Western Union”
14ymedio, Miriam Celaya, Havana, 2 November 2020 — In recent days an opinion column was published in this medium about an alleged interference by the Cuban military in the US elections, which will be held this Tuesday. Judging by the statements of its author, Emilio Morales, a Cuban-American economist and director of the Miami-based Havana Consulting … Continue reading “Fable about “Military Interference” and Realities Around Remittances”
14ymedio, Havana, 23 October 2020 — The United States government will prohibit remittances to Cuba that are sent through companies controlled by the military, according to a draft document published in the Federal Register. The measure will take effect on November 27. Most of the money sent to the island goes through official mechanisms, and 51.3% … Continue reading “US Prohibits Sending Remittances to Cuba Through Companies Linked to the Military”
14ymedio, Laura Rodríguez Fuentes, Santa Clara, 5 October 2020 — The seller of dollars suggests moving from his place on the sidewalk so that the park surveillance cameras do not record him red-handed. He walks to a nearby passageway of a family building and from his wallet he extracts a considerable bundle of bills: Cuban … Continue reading “King Dollar Rules Cuba More Every Day”
14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 17 August 2020 — The failure of the tests for the arrival of internet on mobile phones was the result of an “excess of demand,” according to statements at the time from Etecsa, Cuba’s telecommunications monopoly. The e-commerce platform TuEnvío collapsed shortly after the pandemic was declared due to an increase in purchases and, … Continue reading “Overcome By Reality”
14ymedio, Havana, August 16, 2020 — The financial institution Fincimex announced that beginning this Monday, it won’t accept new requests for AIS (American International Service) debit cards, used to receive remittances and make purchases in the hard-currency stores that were recently opened for the sale of food and personal hygiene and cleaning products. “It’s reported … Continue reading “Cuban Financial Institution Won’t Issue New Debit Cards Because of Shortages of Many Products”
14ymedio, Havana, July 31, 2020 – The delivery to Cuba of remittances in dollars sent from the United States, which had begun through the agencies Cubamax and VaCuba, is now paralyzed. On Thursday, el Nuevo Herald reported that the French bank Crédit Mutuel, for fear of possible sanctions by Washington, stopped service to Fincimex, the … Continue reading “Remittances in Dollars to Cuba Through Cubamax and VaCuba Are Halted”
14ymedio, Elías Amor Bravo, Economist, July 26, 2020 – Imagine that you’re going to your bank to open an account. One of the simplest operations in any country in the world. You really could save yourself the trouble, if you want, because online banks offer a way to do that. In Cuba, it’s more complicated, … Continue reading “The Adventure of Opening an Account in Cuba in MLC (Hard Currency)”
14ymedio, Havana, 6 June 2020 — On Thursday afternoon, two of the Western Union offices in Havana’s Plaza de la Revolución municipality had closed earlier than usual because they no longer had cash. At dawn on Friday, the lines in front of the premises were longer than normal and were marked by uncertainty. After the … Continue reading “Many Cubans Fear Western Union is "On The Brink…"”
14ymedio, Marcelo Hernández, Havana, 10 May 2020 — In these days of confinement to avoid the spread of the coronavirus, the lines in Havana are not limited to the purchase of food and toiletries. Also the lack of cash in many ATMs causes endless waiting to get convertible pesos (CUC). “This is the third ATM I’ve tried … Continue reading “The ATMs in Havana Run Out of Cash”
14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, November 5th, 2019 — Bank accounts freezing has been implemented in Cuba and not many knew about it. Marta Karla just learned it the hard way when she tried to withdraw $500 US she deposited in her account six months ago, which she was required to do to qualify for a … Continue reading “Cubans Unable to Withdraw Money from Accounts with Foreign Currency”
14ymedio, Havana, 10 July 2018 — The announced “reordering and updating” for self-employment work appeared this Tuesday with the publication in the Extraordinary Gazette of a package of measures that modify the licensing system and the payment of taxes from the private sector. “No activity disappears, 96 of the existing ones are grouped into 28, and from of … Continue reading “Cuban Government Modifies Private Sector Licenses and Taxes”
Rebeca Monzo, 29 May 2018 — An older woman, whose son opened a bank account and got an ATM card to make her life easier, went to the Water and Soap store on La Rambla in Havana’s Vedado area to buy some cleaning supplies. When she handed the card to the cashier, she was informed that … Continue reading “A Thwarted Robbery / Rebeca Monzo”
