A young Cuban has raised concerns about an ATM in Santiago de Cuba that deducted money from his father's account but failed to dispense the cash.
Through Facebook, user Alejandro Rodríguez shared the incident that took place at the ATM in the Hospital Clínico de Santiago de Cuba.
"A week ago, my father went to the clinic's ATM and tried to withdraw money. The ATM deducted the 4,000 pesos but did not dispense the cash," Rodríguez began his complaint.
He added that when his father went to the bank, he was told that he was among nearly 30 people who had experienced the same issue, yet no immediate solution was offered.
"They told him to come back in three days," the young man noted. However, the response after three days was also disappointing. "They told him to come back in two more days because the communication was poor and that they needed to contact Havana (a typical result of the centralist and regionalist policies plaguing this country)," the young man narrated, also highlighting common issues that Cubans face which the government is unable to resolve.
"Havana has to resolve a problem that happens 1,000 km away," he questioned, criticizing the logic of Cuban bureaucracy.
Finally, when his father returned two days later, he was informed that "they couldn't give him the money. In the best case, a thousand pesos could be given, and he would have to wait 30 to 45 days to receive the full amount back to his card because they couldn't give it in cash," he added.
This experience led Rodríguez to question, "Why does one have to wait so long to return a pension to a person who was robbed due to an outdated metal box's error? How will he live for 45 days, and what about other people who suffered the same error?"
He also reflected on the subsistence in a country where the economy is severely deteriorated, and people live in a constant state of dissatisfaction.
"Now in Cuba, ATMs don't give money. They are automated to steal it. This is the meager gratitude for so many years of work and dedication, followed by a bureaucratic process (the curse that never ends in this country, which only seeks to wear us down as human beings if we can still consider ourselves as such)," he concluded.
Rodríguez ended his post by stating, "We are indeed doing very well as a country. It's not the ATM's fault; it's the fault of a system."
The availability of cash is a complex issue in Cuba, particularly after government measures that have not helped alleviate the shortage of physical money.
In Santiago de Cuba itself, massive lines have been reported outside banks as people attempt to withdraw cash.
People even spend the night and early morning hours in line, hoping to access the limited cash available when the bank opens the next day.
The crisis has led to continuous complaints from the public, but the government has yet to find a solution.
Common Issues with ATMs in Cuba
Given the rising concerns about ATM malfunctions in Cuba, particularly in Santiago de Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to help understand the situation better.
Why are ATMs in Santiago de Cuba not dispensing cash?
Technical issues and outdated machines are often cited as reasons for ATMs deducting money without dispensing cash.
What should I do if an ATM deducts money but doesn't dispense cash?
You should immediately report the issue to your bank and follow their instructions, which may include waiting for a few days while the issue is investigated.
How long does it take to resolve ATM disputes in Cuba?
Resolution times can vary, but in some cases, it may take 30 to 45 days to receive the deducted money back.
Why does the Cuban government struggle to resolve cash availability issues?
Centralized policies and bureaucratic inefficiencies are often blamed for the government's inability to quickly address cash availability problems.