To the eyes of many foreigners, Cuba is a country of difficult contrasts to explain, on one hand, extreme needs and shortages, and on the other, the avalanche of products that are only sold in dollars, which few can access.
This was the reality that the Venezuelan YouTuber based in Mexico, Ary Tenorio, partner of the well-known Mexican YouTuber Luisito Comunica, has been attempting to understand and explain, as she has been posting reports about his visit to the island.
For Ary, it was a complete surprise to compare the corner stores, known as bodegas in Cuba, and the dollar stores that have appeared throughout the country.
As is always the case with foreigners, the supply booklet left her utterly astonished, as it is something she has never seen anywhere in the world.
If it was surprising to learn that each family is assigned a certain amount of subsidized products through the ration book, which has been decreasing for years and is truly insufficient, even more incredible was knowing that in those small stores you cannot buy as much as you want and as many times as you wish, but rather you have to purchase them elsewhere at astronomical prices.
Interestingly, Ary Tenorio stumbled upon the best-stocked store in Cuba, or at least that’s what the product sign claimed, and of course, she was astonished to see the subsidized prices of the products. However, the questions from ordinary Cubans watching this video might be the following: almost never, if not never, do you find in the stores what the sign claimed, the quality of the items is far from satisfactory, starting with the standard bread, which is constantly missing due to the lack of flour; medical diets or meat for children are not something that arrives regularly each month as they have been led to believe, and soap for bathing, washing, or detergent is sold every three months if you’re lucky, just to give one example.
What many agree with Ary on is that in the so-called Mipymes you can find everything, but at prices that not everyone can afford.
The other side of the coin is the dollar stores that have opened in all the provinces of the country, which have caused a stir among Cubans because, so far, they are filled with products, although at prices that the average Cuban cannot afford. Additionally, you can only pay with cash in dollars or with international cards or those enabled in the country for this type of commerce.
At least the YouTuber in this video realized that perhaps for a foreigner the prices are fine, but if you compare them with the salaries that people earn in Cuba, the cost of the vast majority of products is unaffordable.
The reality of Cuba remains a source of astonishment and disbelief for any foreigner, as it does not compare to what they are accustomed to seeing in capitalist countries. For someone who does not experience it daily, a video is insufficient to understand what happens inside the island and only begins to scratch the surface of what Cuba and its declining economy genuinely represent.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Economic Reality in Cuba and the Influence of Dollar Stores
What is the difference between bodegas and dollar shops in Cuba?
In Cuba, bodegas are establishments where basic products are distributed at subsidized prices through a ration card. However, these products are often insufficient and of low quality. On the other hand, dollar stores are well-stocked, but the prices are unaffordable for most Cubans, who receive their salaries in Cuban pesos.
How does the existence of dollar stores affect the Cuban economy?
The proliferation of dollar stores in Cuba intensifies social inequality, as only those with access to foreign currency can purchase from them. This deepens economic distortions, given that the majority of the population receives their wages in Cuban pesos, a currency that is constantly devaluing.
What does the Cuban population think about the supply booklet?
The ration book, once a guarantee of food security, is now a symbol of shortages. The products it offers are scarce and of low quality, and often the assigned quantities are not respected. This creates discontent among the population, who see their quality of life deteriorating.
Why are the stores in Cuba so surprising to foreigners?
For foreigners, the Cuban reality is surprising due to the contrast between widespread scarcity and the presence of well-stocked dollar stores. This situation is unusual in capitalist countries, where the supply of basic products is broader and more accessible to most of the population.
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