In a further move towards the unofficial dollarization of Cuba's economy, the Caribe Stores network in Ciego de Ávila has announced the reopening of two outlets that will operate exclusively with foreign currency. According to Avileña Television, the Agua y Jabón and La Cruz Verde stores have reopened after undergoing maintenance, now requiring payments only in foreign currencies.
This development, which many Cubans find unsurprising yet infuriating, means that customers paying in cash will receive their change in the form of gum, candy, or other low-value items. This peculiar practice is unique to Cuba, representing a direct loss for consumers who see part of their dollars vanish into goods they likely do not desire.
A Store Well-Stocked... for a Dollar-Holding Minority
These establishments, like many others, accept only international cards (Visa, MasterCard, MIR) or cash in foreign currencies, which most Cubans cannot access. Meanwhile, stores that trade in Cuban pesos remain understocked with bare shelves, fueling social frustration and discontent.
The regime defends this expansion as a method to "capture foreign exchange and improve supply." However, excluding individuals who can only use Cuban pesos has deepened economic inequality, further splitting a society already fractured by crisis.
Repeating the Same Strategy
The opening of these stores adds to a systematic policy that began with the 3ra y 70 Supermarket in Havana, inaugurated in January 2025 as the first of its kind. Similar outlets followed in the central part of the country, all well-stocked but inaccessible to most people.
Economists like Pedro Monreal have warned that this partial dollarization normalizes a parallel economy. Only those who receive remittances or have foreign currency income can access basic goods, leaving the rest of the population trapped in a cycle of scarcity, inflation, and frustration.
Propaganda vs. Reality
Presenting the reopening of stores where Cubans cannot even buy a liter of oil with their peso salary, while having to accept gum as change for their dollars, highlights the disconnect between official rhetoric and the actual lives of the people.
The strategy of opening more foreign currency stores not only fails to address structural problems but also widens the gap between those who can shop and those who can only watch.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Challenges
Why are stores in Ciego de Ávila only accepting foreign currency?
The stores are part of a strategy to capture foreign exchange as a means to improve supply, although this approach excludes many Cubans who only have access to Cuban pesos.
What is the impact of receiving change in gum or candy?
Receiving change in gum or candy represents a direct loss for consumers, as they do not receive equivalent value for their cash, contributing to consumer frustration.
How does this practice affect the Cuban economy?
This practice deepens economic inequality and creates a parallel economy accessible only to those with foreign currency, while exacerbating scarcity and inflation for the rest of the population.