The informal currency market in Cuba this Saturday, March 21, 2026, sends a clear signal: the euro once again reaches its highest value, following the drop recorded the previous day, amidst ongoing pressure on the Cuban peso.
According to the daily monitoring, the euro (EUR) is currently at 580 CUP, marking a return to the historical high it had already reached on March 19. The European currency thus recovers the ground lost after Friday's correction, when it dropped nearly five Cuban pesos (CUP).
Informal exchange rate in Cuba Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 07:00
- Exchange rate of the dollar (USD) to Cuban pesos CUP: 515 CUP
- Exchange rate of the euro (EUR) to Cuban pesos CUP: 580 CUP
- Exchange rate from (MLC) to Cuban pesos CUP: 410 CUP
For its part, the US dollar (USD) remains at 515 CUP, with no changes compared to the last few days, while the freely convertible currency (MLC) rises to 410 CUP, recovering after the previous drop.
Exchange Rate Evolution
The behavior of the euro is the most relevant data of the day. Its return to the peak level confirms that the recent decline did not signal a trend change, but rather a temporary adjustment within a broader upward dynamic.
In the past week, the European currency has exhibited greater volatility than the dollar, with movements reflecting active demand from those looking to safeguard their money against the depreciation of the Cuban peso or to engage in transactions abroad.
The dollar, on the other hand, remains stable at high levels, consolidating itself as the main reference in the informal market. This stability does not imply an improvement in the peso, but rather a pause within a sustained trend of weakness in the national currency.
Regarding the MLC, its slight recovery does not change its lagging position compared to physical currencies, although it remains key in the internal consumption circuit in state-owned stores.
The market continues to be affected by structural factors such as the scarcity of foreign currency, inflation, and lack of trust in the Cuban peso. Additionally, the energy crisis further limits economic activity and reduces the volume of transactions.
In this context, the informal market remains the primary indicator of the real value of the CUP. The fact that the euro has reached its historical peak again reinforces the idea that the pressure on the peso has not lessened.
In the coming days, the evolution of the euro will be crucial in determining whether the market resumes a clearer upward trend or remains in a phase of occasional adjustments within already very high levels.
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