Thousands of Cubans have reacted with outrage on social media in recent hours following the announcement made by the Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Aracelys Cardoso Hernández, about the upcoming opening of 50 new dollar stores across the country, stores that will do nothing to alleviate the struggles of ordinary Cubans.
The Ministry of Interior Trade (MINCIN), which has previously managed the network of state-owned stores and markets, including the regulated products from the supply booklet, is now joining the government's insatiable thirst for foreign currency.
In the stores projected by the MINCIN, payment cannot be made with MLC cards -fallen from grace- but only with cash in foreign currency or with Visa, Mastercard, and Clásica cards.
Hundreds of Cubans have agreed on labeling this new measure as a mockery of the working people.
"They have no shame. To say that a Cuban, with their salary and without any type of assistance, could shop in that kind of store", citizens denounce, viewing this situation as a disrespect to the economic reality of the island.
Many have taken the opportunity to recall how in the early years of the revolution, the possession of foreign currency and private entrepreneurship were penalized.
"What was banned at the beginning of the revolution is now normal. How many were imprisoned for having a business in the so-called 'maceta plan' and for having a dollar, and now it is the strong currency in this country? What hypocrisy!", lamented Juan Carlos O.R.
"What a lack of respect for those stores! Knowing that in this miserable country, no one earns in dollars. Only people with family abroad can shop there, and those who don't have anyone must continue buying overpriced items in the street from the Mipymes," complained another Cuban.
Several citizens did not overlook how they are now shamelessly using the same argument that they previously employed to justify the opening of stores in freely convertible currency at that time.
"The same story as when they created the MLC stores, which according to them were for collecting foreign currency and supplying the MN stores, something we never saw at any moment. A bunch of liars! It's enough already with lying to the people," asserted Richard M.
"They created the MLC stores to supply those in Cuban pesos, and now they are creating dollar stores to supply the MLC stores and those in MN. It's nonsensical," pointed out one of many indignant internet users.
"The Round Table is the platform of the liars and abusers of an entire people"; "Randy has a good economic standing, he never disapproves even with the movement of his head for all the absurdities that are proposed," wrote two commentators who particularly attacked the Round Table, the official platform that serves to amplify every misfortune that befalls the Cubans.
In some, the outrage also mingled with a historical reflection on the economic and political discrimination that the Cuban people have experienced for decades.
"We live off the charity of those whom our heroic and revolutionary leaders once labeled: scum, lumpen, antisocials, and freeloaders. Yet we do not learn that when a people is discriminated against, insulted, and mistreated, all their words become a divine punishment. And I don't believe that this debt can be repaid with dollars," Lázaro F. reflected.
In summary, the general perception is that the new dollar stores are not a real solution to the country's economic problems, but rather a strategy that deepens inequality and restricts access to basic goods for those who rely on salaries and pensions in Cuban pesos.
The Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Aracelys Cardoso Hernández, stated during her intervention in the Round Table discussion that the supply in national currency is inadequate due to the contraction of production and the shortage of foreign currency, which hinders the replenishment of domestic trade.
Frequently Asked Questions about the New Dollar Stores in Cuba
Why have the new dollar stores in Cuba caused outrage?
The new dollar stores have caused outrage because they exacerbate economic inequality in Cuba. Most Cubans do not have access to dollars, which limits their ability to purchase basic goods. Additionally, these stores do not accept payments with cards in Free Convertible Currency (MLC), even though many bank accounts on the island are in that currency. Citizens claim that these measures deepen social exclusion and do not address the country's economic problems.
What is the objective of the Cuban government in opening stores that accept dollars?
The Cuban government seeks to attract foreign currency by opening dollar stores as part of a strategy for partial dollarization of the economy. According to the authorities, this measure is necessary to ensure resources within the country and strengthen domestic trade. However, critics argue that this strategy does not address the structural issues of the Cuban economy and only promotes inequality in access to basic goods.
How can you pay in the new dollar stores in Cuba?
In the new dollar stores, only cash payments in dollars or with international cards like Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Cards in freely convertible currency (MLC) are not accepted, which has caused confusion and criticism among Cubans who rely on these cards to access essential goods.
What impact does the opening of dollar stores have on the Cuban economy?
The opening of dollar stores exacerbates economic inequalities by limiting access to consumer goods to those who have foreign currency. This creates a parallel market that leaves many Cuban citizens on the sidelines, as the majority receive their salaries in Cuban pesos. The partial dollarization also reflects an economy increasingly dependent on foreign currencies and does not solve the problems of product shortages in stores that operate in the national currency.
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