Cuba’s informal market strains: record exchange rates, soaring prices and service disruptions, guests report
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Summary
Radio Martí guests described a record informal exchange rate (dollar at about 500 CUP), soaring staple prices, school and cultural-institute closures linked to fuel and power shortages, and failing medical transport in provinces such as Camagüey.
On-air commentators and guests on Radio Martí described escalating economic stress across Cuban markets, with the program reporting informal exchange rates and multiple supply disruptions.
The hosts said the informal market dollar rate reached about 500 Cuban pesos; guests reported the euro near 555 CUP and the MLC rate around 405. Panelists said official exchange and MLC prices had also risen and argued that these movements undermine earlier government plans intended to stabilize the currency.
Guests gave local examples of price spikes and shortages. In Camagüey, José Luis Tan Estrada reported a broad scarcity of consumer goods and rising market prices: a 900-ml bottle of cooking oil was cited on the program at around 900 pesos and a market-listed boniato (sweet potato) price at 250 pesos. Tan and other guests said municipal stores (mipymes) had long lines and that milk and school supplies for vulnerable children had been disrupted for weeks.
Reinaldo Escobar and other guests described institutional impacts: specialized schools such as the Instituto Superior de Arte were suspending in-person activities because of fuel and electricity shortages, requiring students who live away from home to return to their provinces. The panelists said that distance learning would be difficult where electricity and internet access are unreliable.
The program also relayed reports of failing medical transport: ‘‘medibus’’ vehicles and ambulances in some provinces were not operating, leaving municipalities isolated and delaying patient transfers, according to guest testimony about Camagüey.
Hosts and guests framed the market and service disruptions as interlinked: fuel scarcity, transportation limits and payment frictions in foreign currency markets were described as mutually reinforcing and likely to deepen hardships for households and public services in the coming weeks.
