A Mexican tourist identified as Norma Estrada shared a video on Facebook this Monday, in which she asks a public official in Cuba about the value of the dollar. She accompanies the recording with a reflection that summarizes the devastating economic reality of the island, stating that "a worker earns 5 dollars a month and a doctor 30."
In the video, the official—who requests not to be recorded—responds that one dollar is equivalent to 465 Cuban pesos, and that for 100 dollars, she would receive 46,560 pesos, all exchanged at the airport.
The offered rate is lower than that of the informal market, which, according to independent monitoring by the independent media elToque, reached a historical record of 525 pesos last Sunday and dipped slightly to 523 pesos this Monday.
Dozens of Cubans reacted in the comments, pointing out the difference. "Outside the airport, you can exchange the dollar for 515 Cuban pesos," wrote one user. "On the street, a dollar is at 530 pesos," noted another internet user.
The figure of 30 dollars a month for a doctor mentioned by Estrada was also questioned by a Cuban professional. "As a doctor, I never earned 30 USD, at most 9 USD at the current unofficial exchange rate, about 4,700 pesos," wrote a physician in the comments.
The data supports this testimony. A recent graduate doctor in Cuba receives a base salary of 5,060 pesos, equivalent to about 10 dollars at the unofficial exchange rate. With a specialization and shifts, it can reach 6,200 pesos, close to 12 dollars. The minimum wage is around 2,000 pesos, roughly four dollars.
The contrast with the cost of living is striking. The minimum cost per person exceeds 50,000 pesos per month, more than seven times the average state salary of 6,830 pesos recorded in November 2025. Gasoline in Havana reached 4,000 pesos per liter in March, and a package of chicken cost 4,850 pesos.
"You all in Mexico are kings; here in Cuba, you have to scratch to get a plate of food," a Cuban summarized in the comments. Another added, "On top of that, we barely have electricity or water."
Estrada himself responded empathetically: "We live very well here in Mexico compared to Cuba."
The video amassed over 150,000 views in just a few hours, and it adds to a series of testimonies from foreign visitors who have documented the economic impact of the island in 2026. Forecast models from elToque estimate that the dollar could reach 533 pesos by the end of April, with a range between 503 and 590 pesos.
Filed under: