Cuba: Shops Closed Until the US Dollar Arrives
With a simple sign taped to the glass, the shops at the Habana Libre Hotel eliminate the national currency.
By Natalia Lopez Moya (14ymedio)
HAVANA TIMES — The notice is handwritten and stuck on with adhesive tape, like so many decisions in the Cuban economy: “Closed. To be reopened soon in USD.” There is no logo, no stamp, no further explanation. Only those words visible through the glass doors of the shops on the ground floor of the Habana Libre Hotel. Outside, El Vedado goes on with its routine of slow traffic and peeling facades; inside, commerce readjusts itself to climb aboard the dollarization wagon now rolling across Cuba.
The corridors without customers and the main entrance sealed off are the latest chapter of the shopping center located in the very heart of Havana. In previous times, the retail complex went through every possible stage, from glamour and exclusivity, to wear and tear, until reaching the most alarming deterioration. Now it sets off down the path of foreign-currency sales, a route that leaves behind those who only have access to the Cuban peso.
In Cuba, dollarization not only redefines what is sold and how it is paid for, but also the quality of the establishments. The US currency arrives accompanied by new lighting, efficient air conditioning, employees with freshly issued uniforms, and higher-quality products. It is to be expected that the reopening of the Habana Libre galleries will come with the corridor leaks already repaired, without the dirty cardboard that a year ago tried to cover puddles on the floor, and with the musty smell that emanated from the place finally solved.
On the threshold of a doorway, with a sign slapped up in haste, today’s Cuba is explained. A country where repairs, newness, and beauty only arrive through fulas (USD). Where shops fallen into disgrace can emerge from ruin only through those bills bearing the face of Washington or Lincoln.
First published in Spanish by 14ymedio and translated and posted in English by Havana Times.
Build stronger community & live off the Land! There are some splendid people there! Perhaps, prevent selling their bodies & doing nails and they’d get ahead quicker!?
Cuba is much better than many US cities now. Much safer better health care and education. And this is after many years of the west trying to destroy the economy by starving the people by boycotting trade just because they were kicked out. Yes they are suffering now because of a president of a foreign government who dose not understand or care about international ethics and laws.
Canada is behind you cuba, looking forward to continuing to support the wonderful Cuban people and your beautiful country ❤️
So you just said Cuba cares……
Hi ☺️ I’m deep sorry . For your Spectacular country . We all Canadian love your Sea beautiful people . Culture I’m sorry for your hardship horrific. Travel there we see alot even tho we’re in resort . Amazing buffet . Hospitality.
Some Canadian do give as much we can .have team Cuba brings medical. Food etc
I want to help. . Call get Canada to send oil to Cuba . Etc.. we do not want to losse Cuba need to rebuild . Have freedom . Law. . Your Musica I cannot wait to go . Soon never trust Trump . . You need a president that looks out for the people . Helping people food water . More electricity. More income .
More jobs . Higher wage. Grow more vegetables. I’m so sad if Iwas mill air . I invested give for Cuba the people need to stop hard times love ❤️ your Canadian . Amiga amigo
I don’t care if it’s Trump or Biden or Harris or Vance and I don’t care how it’s done but force a change in Cuba. You’d be doing the will of the Cuban people. I lived in Miami all my life and had tons of Cuban friends. We know the real life for the average Cuban. How can the world allow an island keep it’s people imprisoned in poverty and terrible conditions for 65 years when each country can send just a few of their military in and destroy their army in a few days. Most of the military would put their arms down after the first attacks. This isn’t Pakistan or Afghanistan where the fighters can hide easily and where weapons can keep being brought in. There is an ocean all around and any boats approaching that refuse to stop can be shot at until they surrender. The Cuban people want to be free. Cuba is easy and cheap. It can be one country, a few or many. Just grt in there. I repeat, free and cheap.
We were there,Havana,Trinidad
For 3 wks.3 yrs ago. This Gringo lives in Yucatan, Mex.for 35 yrs.
Wife is Yucatan”best place” in Mex.! Horse&Buggy economy,
Havana is a Mess, Casa’s falling apart,people “Selling thier body’s
For Sex” to survive! Invade!!!
Well, how will the real people fare after the shake up? Will the the Welfare of the real people be considered in all of this big talk? Or as usual will they be forgotten in all the fanfare?
They can solve the poverty problem in Cuba in a heartbeat. Just accept dollars, all sort of dollars not just USD everywhere and the extra dollars, the Cuban central bank ( CCB ) can buy on the open market. Thus the country’s currency reserve will be quite higher and everything will be super, in top shape. Plus Cubans can find good paying jobs and start living decent lifes.
This animal needs to be terminated
Cuban people are the nicest people u want to meet. It’s the communist government and the United States are the ones that are the problem. I feel for the people,they don’t deserve the treatment that they receive!!!
After 60 years all the US has done is to starve Cuban people into submission. Hope you’re proud of yourself
CUBA is a failed state since the gang of terrorists came to power on the name of equality and demonizing the rich people who were the ones that employed people and created a middle class.SOCIALISM has never work in the world ,when the money dry up SOCIALISM ends and that’s exactly what’s happening to the cuban regime,and Trump knows exactly how to end SOCIALISM..cut the money and SOCIALISM faults .The cuban goverment has have Two choice get out of Cuba by negotiation or be arrested by TRUMP and the DELTA FORCE and be brought to justice …PICK YOUR POISON
People are starving on a tropical island with a 365 day growing season and ample fisheries because they are not allowed to grow/raise/catch their own food. All food comes through the government apparatus. Toppling communism will bring back family farms, free markets, and self sufficiency.
The Cuban people are the nicest, kindest in the world. They are the losers to communism. I pray for their salvation which will come with democracy.
The Communist Cuban government has repressed its people for decades. This regime will hopefully collapse under its own weight of corruption and repression of FREEDOM of it’s people. The CUBAN people need to be FREE and hopefully they will get it sooner than later.
Is anybody thinking about the Cuban people in all of this mess.
Donald Alfred Thrasher is an idiot
Let’s make a deal is a game show. Are we about to play? I think Trump should worry about fixing America and its major homeless problem instead of steal other countries goods. It reminds me of how the white man slaughtered the indigenous of this land to steal it away. What has changed other than the size of the bullets?
Dios proteja a Cuba y a su gente, Amen
Please help Cuba Mr President.
The Castro clan had a free hand over sixty years to exploit Cuba for their benefit. Their thuggery destroyed the spirit of the people of Cuba. Please give them a chance to return to the freedom and full bellies that they experienced before that thug Fidel Castro, and his brother Raul, got his tentacles on the Cuban economy.
The cry goes far and wide “cuando sale de cuba”.
They cry for help Mr Trump.
Trump dictating his will to the world again!
This is the closest we come to toppling the Castro Regime. I don’t know what he means by a deal, and I don’t see him going in with the US military. The Economy is collapsing, the people are starving, even the the regime has begun to feel the impact of a failed system, and maybe perhaps the injustice imposed as a result of its ideals. I pray everyday that this may be the beginning of Cuba Libre.
Nuestra Señora de Cuba, esperanza nuestra, ten piedad de nosotros.
Cuba could care less
Trump just announced that he is cutting off Venezuelan Oil And Cash!! And warns Cuban regime to “make a deal” before it is too late!!