Cuban Government Launches New Dollar-Only Store in Ciego de Ávila

In a further step toward the dollarization of Cuba's economy, Cimex Branch in Ciego de Ávila has announced the opening of a store that will operate exclusively in U.S. dollars (USD). Scheduled to open this Friday, the launch will be gradual, according to Aimé María García León, the entity's commercial manager.

The store, named Nuevo Boulevard, is situated at the corner of Independencia and Maceo streets in Ciego de Ávila, as reported by the state-run local newspaper Invasor. The publication highlights that the new establishment will offer a wide range of products, including fresh and dry foods, beverages, and personal hygiene items.

García León also assured that "the new location will not affect the availability of products in other stores" that continue to operate with Freely Convertible Currency (MLC). This new opening adds to a series of establishments across the country set up for transactions exclusively in dollars, which has sparked significant criticism among Cubans who lack access to this currency.

Recently, similar stores were opened in Havana and Holguín without prior publicity due to the public discontent such measures create. The Cuban government defends the expansion of USD stores as a means to attract foreign currency and improve product supply. However, the exclusion of those who only use Cuban pesos has exacerbated economic inequality and social unrest on the island.