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On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the nationalization of Cuban banking, the Central Bank of Cuba (BCC) has issued a special release of the 1,000 Cuban pesos (CUP) bill.
According to the official statement, this initiative is part of the celebrations for the anniversary, which reached its peak on October 13, "Bank Worker Day."
“The bill maintains the color and security measures of the original, ensuring its authenticity,” explained the BCC.
The main novelty is found on its reverse side, where the traditional image of the University of Havana has been replaced by the Sculptural Complex dedicated to Che Guevara in Santa Clara.
On both sides of the bill, the identifier "65th Anniversary" also appears.
The institution stated that this edition "circulates indiscriminately" alongside the original bill, with "equal validity and enforceability."
Citizen Reaction: From Irony to Exasperation
Despite the solemn tone of the announcement, public reception has been overwhelmingly critical and mocking.
On the Central Bank's own Facebook page, dozens of users responded with sarcasm, frustration, or outright indignation, questioning not only the relevance of the commemorative issue but also the economic implications of printing more money without backing.
Among the recurring concerns were inflation, the devaluation of the Cuban peso, and the contradiction of celebrating an event—the nationalization of banks—that many associate with the country's economic collapse.
As a user summarized: "They are issuing a special edition of a bill to celebrate the economic disaster that, 65 years later, has not been possible to correct."
Criticism of inflation and monetary policy
Many comments have pointed out that issuing more banknotes without backing will only worsen the rampant inflation that the island is already experiencing.
Phrases like “print more little paper,” “more toilet paper on the street,” or “keep printing and inflation will keep rising” were common.
The confusion also pointed to the lack of functionality in the banking system. Some criticized that "there are no ATMs working," "there is no real circulating money," and that the peso has no tangible backing."
Several people made nostalgic references to the value that the Cuban currency once had before nationalization: “The Cuban peso used to cost as much or more than the dollar. After the nationalizations... well, there it goes.”
Between sarcasm and despair
The humor—often caustic—has been the recurring reaction of the majority. Some mocked the symbolic value of the bill, comparing it to basic goods with exorbitant prices in the informal market:
“With that, I can buy a pack of chicken.”
“That's right, 3 pounds of ground chicken, or 2 pounds of pork.”
“A pound of pork… and you still need to find another 100.”
Others were more pointed in their denunciation of the social and economic deterioration, listing unfulfilled official promises such as the improvement of the electricity system, the little cup of milk, the dollar at 25 pesos, and the end of blackouts.
Other comments that summarize the crisis and the economic distress of the Cubans:
"Good way to move forward with the Revolution. Print the little paper."
"They really excel at producing inflation; that's where they shine."
“It will maintain the essence of the bill because its value remains almost nonexistent.”
"After almost 3 months in circulation, they are only announcing it now."
"That bill has no value with the inflation in this country. 1,000 pesos is nothing."
"How are they going to ensure that printing that one thousand peso note does not generate more inflation?"
"Keep printing more money... so that inflation can rise like foam."
"As long as they continue to issue scraps of paper with whatever justification, they will never stop hyperinflation."
"Let them celebrate that this 1,000 peso bill will soon be 2 USD."
"The only industry that hasn't collapsed in Cuba is that of printing worthless bills."
"Congratulations, and there's more to come... misery."
Beyond technical or economic criticism, the comments convey a widespread sense of disconnection between institutional decisions and the reality experienced by citizens.
For many, this special issuance symbolizes a monetary policy without direction, an empty commemoration, or even a mockery in the face of collective impoverishment.
The new commemorative bill, rather than bringing the population together around a historical date, has acted as a catalyst for discontent.
Another proof of the divide between the symbols emitted by power and the priorities of the people who survive under its weight.
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