Long lines at the Havana airport to exchange CUC for currency before leaving Cuba

Long lines of passengers were reported this Saturday from the José Martí international airport in Havana to exchange convertible pesos (CUC) for foreign currency before leaving Cuba.

According to a source, CyberCuba, Within the air terminal facilities there are dogs trained to detect the person who intends to take CUC from the Island.

"They talk about it here at the airport and there is modern technology to scan and they confiscate your money and fine, and you don't travel today," said the person who asked not to be identified.

This November 16, the new regulation that the General Customs of the Republic of Cuba announced on October 24 came into force, which also establishes that starting this month the convertible pesos (CUC) that travelers try to introduce will be confiscated. to the island.

Another passenger traveling today from the aforementioned airport confirmed to CyberCuba the implementation this Saturday of the government resolution that states that only dollars will be accepted and other foreign currencies in the facilities located in the boarding area, after travelers pass immigration and customs controls.

At the moment, only 300 CUC per passenger is being exchanged, whether in dollars, Mexican pesos, euros or other foreign currencies.

According to the information sent to CyberCuba, people are upset, as several scenarios could occur: that the exchange offices run out of foreign currency and that passengers cannot travel, or that their money is confiscated.

In addition, the stores inside the airport are in foreign currency, so travelers who have CUC must exchange them to be able to buy inside.

Information published in the Official Gazette Last month it indicated that "the export and import of the legal tender convertible peso, in any denomination, is prohibited."

These new measures occur in the context of others already announced by the government, which will put into operation some 70 stores throughout the country, where it can be purchased with US and Canadian dollars, euros, among other currencies, except the CUC.