The informal currency market in Cuba marks a new milestone this Sunday, April 5, 2026, with the rise of the dollar, which reaches 520 Cuban pesos (CUP), thus setting a historic record on the island.
The US dollar breaks the stability that had been maintained for almost two weeks around 515 CUP and reinforces an upward trend that once again puts pressure on the Cuban peso. In the previous session, the dollar was valued at 518 CUP, indicating an increase of 2 pesos in the last 24 hours.
Informal exchange rate in Cuba Sunday, April 5, 2026 - 06:00
Exchange rate of the dollar (USD) to Cuban pesos CUP: 520 CUP
Exchange rate of the Euro (EUR) to Cuban Pesos CUP: 585 CUP
Exchange rate of (MLC) to Cuban pesos CUP: 395 CUP
The euro (EUR) remains at 585 CUP, very close to its highest levels, while the Convertible Currency (MLC) slightly declines to 395 CUP, reflecting its more volatile behavior linked to internal consumption.
This new peak of the dollar occurs in a context marked by the recent issuance of 2,000 and 5,000 peso bills by the Central Bank of Cuba (BCC), a measure that has strengthened the perception of the national currency's loss of value among the population.
Exchange Rate Evolution
In parallel, the "floating" rate of the BCC remains stagnant, with the official dollar fixed at 480 CUP, which further widens the gap with the informal market and confirms the loss of the state system's ability to set the real exchange rate.
The rise of the dollar to this new record is not only due to economic factors such as inflation and the scarcity of foreign currency, but also to a context of increasing uncertainty that drives demand for strong currencies as a safe haven.
In practice, the informal market continues to serve as the primary reference for the value of the Cuban peso, while the national currency keeps losing ground against the dollar, which thus reaches a new historical high in Cuba.
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