Joel García León, the director of the state-affiliated newspaper Trabajadores, published a critical piece this past Sunday on the digital platform of the publication. He questioned the recent opening of the 3rd and 70th supermarket in Havana, which exclusively operates in U.S. dollars.
García acknowledged that the concept of the supermarket, located beneath the Gran Muthu Habana hotel, is a response to Cuba's pressing need to attract foreign currency—a strategy that was previously discussed in the National Assembly of People's Power. However, he highlighted the exclusionary nature of this store, which leaves out the majority of Cuban workers.
He stressed that "our salaries aren't in that American currency, so not everyone will be able to just pop by for a visit." Moreover, García touched on the lack of clarity surrounding the supermarket's operations, mentioning that payment with freely convertible currency (MLC) cards is not allowed, creating uncertainty among customers.
"Will the value of those cards vanish, or worse, will stores that currently accept MLC be sidelined in favor of supermarkets like 3rd and 70th?" he wondered aloud.
Furthermore, García pointed out the impact of the store's opening in a context where social inequalities have become a persistent issue across many aspects of Cuban society, rather than isolated incidents. "It's tough that we can't all shop there, even the most dedicated workers without family remittances. Welcome to those who can," he remarked.
Despite his criticisms, García urged people to see the glass as half full, suggesting that the supermarket could offer a food solution for those with cash dollars. However, he emphasized the necessity of improving communication and promptly addressing the public's legitimate concerns.
"Inequality dictates consumption in Cuba, and supermarkets like this only highlight that reality. Very soon, 3rd and 70th will become just another supermarket. We'll see," he concluded.
The opening of the 3rd and 70th supermarket in Havana has stirred up intense debate among the public, even drawing criticism from state media and journalists. Recently, official journalist Ana Teresa Badia sparked discussion on social media after expressing her discontent with the opening of the dollar-only supermarket located beneath the Gran Muthu Habana hotel.
In a Facebook post, Badia highlighted the numerous questions arising from the implementation of this business model and criticized the decision that the new supermarket only accepts payments in cash dollars or international credit cards, excluding the MLC cards commonly used in other similar establishments.
FAQs on Cuba's New Dollar-Only Supermarket
Why is the 3rd and 70th supermarket controversial?
The supermarket is controversial because it operates exclusively in U.S. dollars, which many Cuban workers do not earn, making it inaccessible to a large portion of the population.
What concerns have been raised about the payment methods?
Concerns have been raised because the supermarket does not accept payments with MLC cards, which are commonly used in other stores, leading to confusion and frustration among potential customers.
How does the new supermarket highlight social inequalities in Cuba?
The store underscores social inequalities by being accessible only to those with U.S. dollars, excluding many Cubans who do not receive remittances or have access to foreign currency.