| 1 EUR | 375.00 CUP | |
| 1 USD | 365.00 CUP | |
| 1 MLC | 260.00 CUP | |
| 1 CAD | 230.00 CUP |
Pope Francis Dies: The Pontiff Who Chose the Path of Dialogue
The Argentine pontiff died in Rome at 88. During his papacy, he played an active role in the thaw between Cuba and the United States and supported mediation efforts with the Cuban government aimed at securing the release of political prisoners.
Cuba Has Become a Country of Empty Houses
The house is still there, but no one has lived in it for a long time.
From Cuban Engineer to Bus Driver in Spain
Mayulis, a Cuban electrical engineer, reinvented herself as a school bus driver in Murcia, Spain, after migration barriers prevented her from validating her degree. With determination and support from a local training program by Cáritas and FROET, she earned her commercial driving license and now works transporting children. Her story reflects the broader experience of over 62,000 Cubans who arrived in Spain between 2023 and 2024—many of whom must rebuild their lives from scratch.
Cuban Student with I-220A Pursues College Degree at Florida International University (FIU)
After arriving in the U.S. with an I-220A, which offers no legal status or federal aid, 26-year-old Sandro González is pursuing an engineering degree at Florida International University. Balancing two jobs and his own insurance business, he’s funding his education on his own. A recipient of a CAALE scholarship, Sandro’s journey reflects the resilience of immigrant youth chasing opportunity against the odds.
Growing Dollarization in Cuba Raises Concerns About the MLC's Future
Since late 2024, Cubans have grown worried as MLC loses value and dollar-only stores expand. Despite official claims, both the MLC and peso are devaluing, making dollarized goods harder to afford.
What Cubans Need to Know About Russia’s “Regularization” Decree
Thousands of Cubans in Russia face an uncertain future. Learn what the 2025 regularization process really means and what happens after the April deadline.
Cuba Expands USD Stores While Wages Are Paid in Pesos
Despite official claims, more state-run shops are switching to USD only. Same products, new price tags in dollars, while wages stay in pesos.
Cuba Loses Appeal in the UK Supreme Court
The legal battle is over. CRF I Ltd, a Cayman Islands investment fund, can now enforce its $75M claim over defaulted Cuban debt. The ruling sets a precedent by recognizing CRF as a legitimate creditor and may open the door to further lawsuits involving the Cuban State.
Cuba and Crossed Wires
Power cuts, misinformation, and a government that blames everyone but itself. Cuba’s energy crisis is more than just blackouts—it’s a symptom of a system running on empty.
A Cuban Dancer on Escaping Ukraine and How to Survive War
When they left Sumy, Ukraine, the city had already been rocked by war for seven months. Bombs fell so frequently that the devastated landscape began to look normal. From her window, Lisandra had seen the sky light up; she had heard the noise; had sensed the tanks in the streets and had been so terrified that she stopped eating. Her hands trembled, she barely slept, and she cried a lot.
What Sustains Us in Cuba Through the Dark?
I was five when the socialist bloc collapsed, bringing Cuba into the darkest years of the Revolution. In my innocence, blackouts meant street games and whispered stories, not hunger and fear. Now, at 39, in a crisis worse than my childhood, I finally understand the worries of those nights.
Cubans Without a Dignified Life: The Face They Try to Hide
Many elderly Cubans struggle to survive with inadequate food and support, as the government turns a blind eye to their suffering. Behind the official narrative, poverty and neglect define the daily reality of countless citizens.
Internet Without Etecsa in Cuba: Possible but Expensive
If you visit Starlink’s website—the satellite Internet service owned by Elon Musk—and search for Cuba, you will see that the service is unavailable. However, the situation on the ground seems to tell a different story. Some Cubans residing in the country have been using Starlink for months.
Cuban Banks “Hijack” Family Remittances
Cuban retirees struggle to access remittances in cash, facing banking restrictions and frustration. Where is their money?
Cuba: How Hospitals Operate During a Total Blackout
The night of March 14, 2025, Cuba has been experiencing its fourth nationwide blackout in the past five months. On social media, citizens have reported the impact of the power outage on several hospitals across the country.
MERCADO INFORMAL DE
DIVISAS EN CUBA (TIEMPO REAL)
English
El Toque is a multimedia platform focused on telling Cuba in its diversity, complex, creative and also sometimes painful or hidden. Our very existence is a commitment to the diversity of voices, styles and functions in the media ecosystem that they publish for Cubans. Here you can learn a little more about the Island.
The Argentine pontiff died in Rome at 88. During his papacy, he played an active role in the thaw between Cuba and the United States and supported mediation efforts with the Cuban government aimed at securing the release of political prisoners.
The house is still there, but no one has lived in it for a long time.
Mayulis, a Cuban electrical engineer, reinvented herself as a school bus driver in Murcia, Spain, after migration barriers prevented her from validating her degree. With determination and support from a local training program by Cáritas and FROET, she earned her commercial driving license and now works transporting children. Her story reflects the broader experience of over 62,000 Cubans who arrived in Spain between 2023 and 2024—many of whom must rebuild their lives from scratch.
After arriving in the U.S. with an I-220A, which offers no legal status or federal aid, 26-year-old Sandro González is pursuing an engineering degree at Florida International University. Balancing two jobs and his own insurance business, he’s funding his education on his own. A recipient of a CAALE scholarship, Sandro’s journey reflects the resilience of immigrant youth chasing opportunity against the odds.
Since late 2024, Cubans have grown worried as MLC loses value and dollar-only stores expand. Despite official claims, both the MLC and peso are devaluing, making dollarized goods harder to afford.
Despite official claims, more state-run shops are switching to USD only. Same products, new price tags in dollars, while wages stay in pesos.
Power cuts, misinformation, and a government that blames everyone but itself. Cuba’s energy crisis is more than just blackouts—it’s a symptom of a system running on empty.
I was five when the socialist bloc collapsed, bringing Cuba into the darkest years of the Revolution. In my innocence, blackouts meant street games and whispered stories, not hunger and fear.
Now, at 39, in a crisis worse than my childhood, I finally understand the worries of those nights.
If you visit Starlink’s website—the satellite Internet service owned by Elon Musk—and search for Cuba, you will see that the service is unavailable. However, the situation on the ground seems to tell a different story. Some Cubans residing in the country have been using Starlink for months.
The night of March 14, 2025, Cuba has been experiencing its fourth nationwide blackout in the past five months. On social media, citizens have reported the impact of the power outage on several hospitals across the country.
Thousands of Cubans in Russia face an uncertain future. Learn what the 2025 regularization process really means and what happens after the April deadline.
The legal battle is over. CRF I Ltd, a Cayman Islands investment fund, can now enforce its $75M claim over defaulted Cuban debt. The ruling sets a precedent by recognizing CRF as a legitimate creditor and may open the door to further lawsuits involving the Cuban State.
When they left Sumy, Ukraine, the city had already been rocked by war for seven months. Bombs fell so frequently that the devastated landscape began to look normal. From her window, Lisandra had seen the sky light up; she had heard the noise; had sensed the tanks in the streets and had been so terrified that she stopped eating. Her hands trembled, she barely slept, and she cried a lot.
Many elderly Cubans struggle to survive with inadequate food and support, as the government turns a blind eye to their suffering. Behind the official narrative, poverty and neglect define the daily reality of countless citizens.
Cuban retirees struggle to access remittances in cash, facing banking restrictions and frustration. Where is their money?
MERCADO INFORMAL DE
DIVISAS EN CUBA (TIEMPO REAL)