In addition to ETECSA, other Cuban companies already charge for their services in dollars. Dollarization is advancing in Cuba, with more sectors joining the movement to charge in foreign currency, something that is beyond the reach of ordinary Cubans. What seemed like a temporary and exclusive measure of ETECSA, the state monopoly on telecommunications, was already extended to other Cuban companies.
The Cuban government continues its progress towards a partially dollarized economy, with new sectors now applying rates in dollars or foreign currencies such as the euro.
The decision, announced in December 2024 as part of a package of economic reforms, continues to generate great concern.cupaction among Cubans, especially those who do not have access to remittances from outside or to the purchase of foreign currency on the Cuban black market.
It's clear that the Cuban state's strategy goes beyond telecommunications: tourism services, retail and wholesale stores, as well as strategic sectors such as pharmaceuticals, energy, and foreign trade, are already adopting pricing and charging for their services in foreign currency.
The first signs came with the implementation of payments in dollars in establishments such as Havana Houses, international pharmacies, private clinics, opticians, airport VIP lounges and other authorized areas.
Then it spread to the collection of tariffs and foreign trade services for non-state forms of management, including cooperatives and private enterprises.
Furthermore, fuel prices They were also adjusted in dollars, with the official argument of ensuring the replenishment of inventories and maintaining national supply.
Etecsa and other Cuban companies with services in dollars
At the same time, new control mechanisms for the use of foreign currency have been imposed, and a "floating rate" is being referred to that will vary according to supply and demand in the informal foreign exchange market, something that has yet to be implemented.
Although the official narrative repeats that the goal is to raise foreign currency for reinvestment, the reality for most Cubans is different.
La partial dollarization It directly affects people who lack stable access to foreign currency, which limits access to basic products such as food, medicine, and hygiene products, often available only through combos from abroad.
Although the government maintains that the measures seek to "correct distortions," the truth is that they contribute to deepening social inequality and widening the gap between those who have access to dollars and those who do not.
The worst part is that everything indicates that the dollarization process in Cuba will continue. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that more economic sectors will apply prices in foreign currency, which could even include basic services such as transportation or Gas, whose rumor spreads much more due to the shortage, although the authorities deny it.
Uncertainty persists, and with it, the fear of a population that sees how social equality, one of the pillars of the system, is fading under the weight of economic decisions that are increasingly alienated from the "ordinary Cuban."
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9 comments
.. a change similar to the fall of the socialist bloc is taking place, Cuban-style perestroika. Is it so difficult to recognize?
My opinion is that if the Cuban government has realized that the country can't function without dollars, it should opt for a currency exchange and give the Cuban peso a value equivalent to the dollar. They need a good economist and a strong desire to contribute to equality for all. Would you be capable?
Well, since they want to dollarize the economy, the Cuban working people are waiting to be paid their salaries in dollars.
Can you tell me where I can work that pays in dollars? You shameless, disrespectful people. Who told you that U.S. families are going to provide for Cubans in their entire lives?
DON'T GET MAD, THIS IS UGLY!
I'm going to add another one: Cement sales. Look, we'll see. It's obvious.
This is already getting too ugly with the dollar issue.
I think it is not ETECSA's fault, this entity does nothing without the government's authorization, there are already cases of attacks on children, relatives of people who work at ETECSA, we have to stop this, because the government is the only one responsible, because where has that money gone all this time, there have been no audits, there has been no control, the money has been taken for other things and everyone has gotten wet, now the poor employees, listen well employees, not leaders of ETECSA, are being victims of harassment, of abuse, it is necessary that as independent newspapers, they know how to direct the content well, because here there are no companies, or anything that belongs to a legal entity, everything belongs to the government and if they did not do audits and did not make a spending and purchasing plan, I only ask that whoever diverted all that money comes to light
The critical situation of ordinary Cubans will only be resolved when the abuse of those living abroad who come to Cuba to sell their foreign currency on the black market at exorbitant prices ends.
These are the ones who should be subject to fines and sanctions.
And who is going to fine and sanction them if the government is the one that provides the services in dollars? Every day in Cuba, social inequality becomes more evident, one of the reasons why a revolution was made.