Dollarization in Cuba

Exchanging pesos for dollarsPhoto © CiberCuba

The structural economic crisis that Cuba is experiencing has forced its government to redollarize the sale of food and essential goods, as Fidel Castro did in 1993 and 1994.

In 2004, the Cuban government introduced the use of the CUC and imposed a 10% tax on the dollar, which it has now abolished in the economic package announced on July 20, 2020. This package includes the opening of 72 stores for sales in freely convertible currency (MLC) with magnetic cards as the only means of payment.

The additional quotas of the basic basket are being sold by the authorities at market prices.