| 1 EUR | 345.00 CUP | |
| 1 USD | 340.00 CUP | |
| 1 MLC | 270.00 CUP |
Aquí contamos las historias de ciudadanía que protagonizan los cubanos. Conoce con nosotros de activismo, participación política, tendencias y debates sobre la sociedad cubana.
The Story of a Cuban Who Conquers Palates in Japan
From boxing to cooking: this was the journey of Valodia Carrero in Japan. The Cuban former athlete, better known as “Valo,” found success in an unexpected corner of the world. This time, not with gloves on, but with an apron and a spatula, greeting customers who visit his street food business, a food truck called “El Sandwichazo.”
More than Half of Cuba Without Power
Many Cubans complain on social media and in statements to independent media about being without electricity for up to a day or more.
Cuban Influencers Worried of Uncertain Tik Tok Future in US
Launched in 2016 by Chinese company Bytedance Technology Co., TikTok is a social network based on short looping videos. The platform allows users to create, edit, and share audiovisual content of up to 3 minutes – although longer options exist.
Cubans Seeking the American Dream Are Now in Limbo
The end of the CPB One app leaves Cuban and other migrants seeking legal entry to the USA facing a crossroads.
Cuba to Continue Allowing Tax-Free Imports of Certain Items
The Cuban Government is once again extending the tariff benefit for non-commercial traveler imports of foodstuffs, toiletries, medicines and electricity generation equipment. The regulations for such tariff exemptions were published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2 on January 29, 2025.
“I Will Not Be Silent”: Released 11J Prisoners Speak Out
According to Justicia 11J, approximately 35 female political prisoners remain behind bars. Many of them participated in the July 11, 2021, protests and other protests in subsequent years.
What Will Happen in Cuba with the MLC in 2025?
At the end of December 2024, several people wrote to elTOQUE expressing concerns about rumors regarding a possible elimination of the magnetic MLC for shopping in government stores priced in US dollars.
What’s Behind the Cooking Gas Shortage in Cuba?
Cooking with firewood or going hungry seems to be the dilemma for many Cuban families who endure more than 15 hours of power outages daily.
The Salary of a Cuban Baseball Player Buys a Carton of Eggs
Two events this past week pointed to the deteriorating (economically speaking) state of sports and athletes in Cuba. A situation that is not new, but that repeats itself year after year without a medium or short-term solution.
Biden Removes Cuba from List of State Sponsors of Terrorism
In a surprise move, the Biden administration removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. According to Martí Noticias, in exchange, the Cuban government promised to release political prisoners.
Osvel Barzagas: A Free Cuban in Mexico’s Zocalo
Amid the chaos of the Zocalo, Mexico City’s central plaza, Cuban Osvel Barzagas was free. He didn’t know if he was happy, but yes, he was free.
January 10, The Decisive Day for Venezuela Has Arrived
Venezuelan citizens took to the streets on Thursday January 9th to defend Edmundo Gonzalez’s electoral victory of July 28, 2024. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called for nationwide demonstrations to support Gonzalez’s potential inauguration on January 10.
Supermarkets in USD in Cuba: The Prince and the Pauper
The opening of the new supermarket 3ra y 70, located under the Gran Muthu Habana Hotel, dominated the headlines of Cuba’s independent press in the first days of 2025. Social media reactions, citizen reports, and press coverage highlight the widespread indignation among Cubans over the store’s policy: purchases can only be made with cash in foreign currency or international and certain domestic cards.
What Lessons Does 2024 Leave the Private Sector in Cuba?
In December 2023, during his speech to the National Assembly, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz promised that in 2024, the “mechanisms for supervision and regulation of the governmental control system over the private sector” would improve.
What We Keep Quiet at Christmas
There is something about Christmas that has always seemed magical to me: the little trees, the parties, the lights in the windows, and that feeling that time pauses a bit to remind us of what truly matters.
INFORMAL FOREIGN EXCHANGE
MARKET IN CUBA (REAL TIME)
Sociedad
Aquí contamos las historias de ciudadanía que protagonizan los cubanos. Conoce con nosotros de activismo, participación política, tendencias y debates sobre la sociedad cubana.
From boxing to cooking: this was the journey of Valodia Carrero in Japan. The Cuban former athlete, better known as “Valo,” found success in an unexpected corner of the world. This time, not with gloves on, but with an apron and a spatula, greeting customers who visit his street food business, a food truck called “El Sandwichazo.”
Many Cubans complain on social media and in statements to independent media about being without electricity for up to a day or more.
Launched in 2016 by Chinese company Bytedance Technology Co., TikTok is a social network based on short looping videos. The platform allows users to create, edit, and share audiovisual content of up to 3 minutes – although longer options exist.
The end of the CPB One app leaves Cuban and other migrants seeking legal entry to the USA facing a crossroads.
The Cuban Government is once again extending the tariff benefit for non-commercial traveler imports of foodstuffs, toiletries, medicines and electricity generation equipment. The regulations for such tariff exemptions were published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2 on January 29, 2025.
At the end of December 2024, several people wrote to elTOQUE expressing concerns about rumors regarding a possible elimination of the magnetic MLC for shopping in government stores priced in US dollars.
Two events this past week pointed to the deteriorating (economically speaking) state of sports and athletes in Cuba. A situation that is not new, but that repeats itself year after year without a medium or short-term solution.
Amid the chaos of the Zocalo, Mexico City’s central plaza, Cuban Osvel Barzagas was free. He didn’t know if he was happy, but yes, he was free.
The opening of the new supermarket 3ra y 70, located under the Gran Muthu Habana Hotel, dominated the headlines of Cuba’s independent press in the first days of 2025.
Social media reactions, citizen reports, and press coverage highlight the widespread indignation among Cubans over the store’s policy: purchases can only be made with cash in foreign currency or international and certain domestic cards.
There is something about Christmas that has always seemed magical to me: the little trees, the parties, the lights in the windows, and that feeling that time pauses a bit to remind us of what truly matters.
According to Justicia 11J, approximately 35 female political prisoners remain behind bars. Many of them participated in the July 11, 2021, protests and other protests in subsequent years.
Cooking with firewood or going hungry seems to be the dilemma for many Cuban families who endure more than 15 hours of power outages daily.
In a surprise move, the Biden administration removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. According to Martí Noticias, in exchange, the Cuban government promised to release political prisoners.
Venezuelan citizens took to the streets on Thursday January 9th to defend Edmundo Gonzalez’s electoral victory of July 28, 2024. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called for nationwide demonstrations to support Gonzalez’s potential inauguration on January 10.
In December 2023, during his speech to the National Assembly, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz promised that in 2024, the “mechanisms for supervision and regulation of the governmental control system over the private sector” would improve.
INFORMAL FOREIGN EXCHANGE
MARKET IN CUBA (REAL TIME)
