The bank located at the intersection of Enramadas and Padre Pico streets, right in the historic center of Santiago de Cuba, was the target of vandalism this Saturday, leaving its glass door damaged. Journalist Yosmany Mayeta posted a video on Facebook showing a hole in the door's glass and fragments scattered on the ground.
This incident comes amid growing frustration among the Santiago population, as many citizens struggle to access their salaries due to the lack of cash in banking institutions. Residents, especially the elderly and retirees, often spend the night outside the bank to secure a place in line, which has become a common sight in the province, Mayeta reported.
"And most of the time, they have to resort to the 'buquenques,' who charge a 20 to 25% fee," he pointed out. The situation is exacerbated by the regime's push for "bancarization," which forces the use of electronic cards for payment of goods and services, the journalist emphasized.
"Private and state businesses do not want to accept payment via cards; they prefer cash," Mayeta added, a situation that leaves the population trapped in a cycle of difficulty obtaining money from their accounts.
This incident reinforces the public's perception that the imposed measures not only complicate their daily lives but also fail to provide effective solutions to the cash shortage. Last July, a branch of the Banco Popular de Ahorros, located in the area known as "La Comercial" in the José Martí Urban Center of Santiago de Cuba, also woke up to broken glass due to stoning by a young man, allegedly in a medical crisis.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta reported the incident on Facebook, noting that the man has not yet been identified, but according to a source, he was a barber who has repeated these stoning incidents in various locations. Mayeta shared a gallery of images showing the damage to the bank branch's glass, as well as a chat screenshot where someone revealed details highlighting the worsening cash crisis in Santiago de Cuba.
"People are fed up because the money that comes in is being given by bank workers at an 8% fee to those involved in cash dealing," the informant stated.
Understanding the Cash Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
The following FAQs provide deeper insights into the ongoing cash crisis in Santiago de Cuba, as reported in the recent vandalism incidents.
Why are residents in Santiago de Cuba struggling to access cash?
Residents are struggling due to a severe shortage of cash in banking institutions, forcing many to spend the night in line to secure a spot.
What is "bancarization" and how is it affecting the population?
"Bancarization" is a policy forcing the use of electronic cards for payments, which many businesses do not accept, preferring cash instead. This leaves people struggling to access their money.
How are bank workers contributing to the cash crisis?
According to reports, bank workers are giving cash to those involved in dealing at an 8% fee, exacerbating the shortage for regular citizens.
What measures are being taken to address the cash shortage?
Current measures include the push for bancarization, but these have not effectively resolved the issue and have added to the population's frustrations.