The informal currency market in Cuba recorded a slight decline in the prices of major foreign currencies this Monday, following several consecutive days of increases that pushed the dollar and the euro to new historic highs.
According to monitoring by the independent media elTOQUE, the US dollar (USD) is trading today at 523 Cuban pesos (CUP), which represents a decrease of 2 pesos compared to the previous day, when it reached 525 CUP.
Informal exchange rate in Cuba Monday, April 13, 2026 - 07:00
Exchange rate of the dollar (USD) to Cuban pesos CUP: 523 CUP
Exchange rate of the euro (EUR) to Cuban pesos CUP: 590 CUP
Exchange rate from (MLC) to Cuban pesos CUP: 390 CUP
The euro (EUR) also experiences a correction, dropping to 590 CUP, two pesos below its last value, after having reached 592 CUP on Sunday. Despite this decline, the European currency remains at very high levels within the informal market.
For its part, the Free Convertible Currency (MLC) has fallen to 390 CUP, confirming its more volatile behavior and its direct connection to domestic consumption and the availability of products in state-run stores.
Exchange Rate Evolution
This movement marks a pause after several days of sustained increases. Between April 7 and 12, the dollar rose from 520 to 525 CUP, while the euro climbed from 585 to 592 CUP, in an upward trend that reflected the accumulated pressure in the market.
The current correction does not change the overall landscape. The informal market continues to operate at a high plateau, where foreign currencies remain at record levels despite occasional downward adjustments.
Factors such as the recent issuance of 2,000 and 5,000 peso bills by the Central Bank of Cuba, persistent inflation, and the shortage of foreign currency continue to fuel distrust in the Cuban peso.
At the same time, the official "floating" rate remains lagging behind the informal market, reinforcing the perception that the real value of the national currency continues to be determined outside the state system.
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