Cuban Historian Denounces Repression for Criticizing Gov.

Cuban Historian Denounces Repression for Criticizing Gov.

On November 28, 2025, historian Alexander Hall Lujardo published an open letter to Cuba’s ruler, Miguel Diaz-Canel, denouncing that he is suffering a serious “violation of rights” and “political persecution” at the hands of State Security, a political police body under the Ministry of the Interior.

How the Cuban State Represses Women Who Dissent

How the Cuban State Represses Women Who Dissent

Since July 11, 2021, Yenisey Taboada Ortíz is a different person from who she used to be. Her days pass between posting videos on Facebook to denounce the abuses against her imprisoned son, protester Duannis Dabel Leon Taboada, or searching for food and hygiene products to fill a bag she will bring him—when she is not forbidden from visiting—at Combinado del Este prison.

With “the Virus” Sweeping Cuba – Where’s the Government?

With “the Virus” Sweeping Cuba – Where’s the Government?

Perhaps you who’s reading this would feel the same way if your entire family—I repeat, your entire family—had recently been infected with a “virus” or is currently infected, and you don’t even know what it is, how to treat it, or who to turn to. You also know that the country’s healthcare system is in chaos.

Cuba’s Promised Floating Exchange Rate Still Pending

Cuba’s Promised Floating Exchange Rate Still Pending

The announcement made on November 13, 2025, regarding the discussion of the Government Program to reinvigorate the Cuban economy — within the structures of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and other social organizations, between November and December — indirectly but unmistakably confirms that there will be no official floating exchange rate before the end of the year.

Why the Dollar and the Euro Rise & Fall vs the Cuban Peso

Why the Dollar and the Euro Rise & Fall vs the Cuban Peso

Since 2022, the exchange rate in Cuba’s informal market has shown high volatility. Within a matter of weeks, the price of the dollar or euro can soar, stabilize at a new high, and then fall sharply. However, it rarely returns to its starting point.

Promises Without Materials Won’t Rebuild After Melissa

Promises Without Materials Won’t Rebuild After Melissa

Dust turned to mud. More poverty upon barren land. The little food grown in the fields washed away and thousands of homes destroyed or damaged. That is the picture across several towns in eastern Cuba after Hurricane Melissa struck on October 29, 2025.

What Are Deepfakes and How Can We Identify Them?

What Are Deepfakes and How Can We Identify Them?

According to a 2023 World Economic Forum report, deepfake videos on the internet are increasing at an annual rate of 900 %.

Cuba Gov. Tells Maduro He Can’t Count on Its Support

Cuba Gov. Tells Maduro He Can’t Count on Its Support

Venezuelan ruler Nicolas Maduro recently received bad news when he asked for help from his Cuban partners. Sources close to the Venezuelan government said that, in mid-October 2025, the dictator met in Caracas with Cuban advisers to discuss possible military or logistical support from Havana amid the growing presence of US forces near Venezuelan shores.

The Cuban Regime’s New Strategy to Attract Foreign Currency

The Cuban Regime’s New Strategy to Attract Foreign Currency

Facing a liquidity crisis and a growing loss of financial credibility, the Cuban government has launched a new strategy to attract fresh foreign currency: granting greater autonomy to foreign companies in the tourism sector.

Why Does the Dollar Keep Rising in Cuba?

Why Does the Dollar Keep Rising in Cuba?

Keys to understanding the new wave of foreign currency demand.

Young Cubans Willing to Fight and “Bleed” for Money

Young Cubans Willing to Fight and “Bleed” for Money

“Do you have the guts to bleed?” That’s the slogan used to promote a clandestine fighting league in Cuba that offers up to 20 euros per match. Amid the country’s deepening economic and social crisis, dozens of young people between 19 and 31 years old agree to fight without an audience, hoping to earn in one night what many don’t make in a month of state employment.

Gasoline in Dollars: The Gap Widens Between Cubans

Gasoline in Dollars: The Gap Widens Between Cubans

As the country dollarizes its economy, citizens improvise, adapt, and survive, aware that each liter purchased or each empty tank left behind is a reminder of the distance between official rhetoric and real life.

Cuba: Stores & Gas Stations in US Dollars Continue to Grow

Cuba: Stores & Gas Stations in US Dollars Continue to Grow

In early May 2025, El Toque published a list of the dollar stores we were able to find in Cuba. At that time, we counted 85 establishments that sold their products exclusively in foreign currency. Now, five months later, we count 209 — an increase of 146%.

Is it True There Are No Political Prisoners in Cuba?

Is it True There Are No Political Prisoners in Cuba?

From Raul Castro to Fernandez de Cossío: the same FALSE discourse persists to deny political prisoners and accuse Amnesty International.

Cuba X-ray: Power Doesn’t Pay Debts but Demands Obedience
play

Cuba X-ray: Power Doesn’t Pay Debts but Demands Obedience

In the midst of blackouts lasting up to 25 hours and more than 3 million Cubans facing limited access to drinking water, Miguel Díaz-Canel once again promised “victories.” Yet while his talk centers on creative resistance, families turn to homemade inventions to collect rainwater and survive in increasingly precarious conditions.

INFORMAL FOREIGN EXCHANGE
MARKET IN CUBA (REAL TIME)

toque_logo_white
1 EUR490.00 CUP
1 USD450.00 CUP
1 MLC
280.00 CUP
-5
1 CAD273.69 CUP
-2.07
1 MXN19.95 CUP
-0.71
1 BRL74.03 CUP
+1.28
1 ZELLE442.78 CUP
+3.88
1 CLA424.86 CUP
+0.26
Calendar iconCUBA
publicidad_banenr

Sociedad

Cuban Historian Denounces Repression for Criticizing Gov.
On November 28, 2025, historian Alexander Hall Lujardo published an open letter to Cuba’s ruler, Miguel Diaz-Canel, denouncing that he is suffering a serious “violation of rights” and “political persecution” at the hands of State Security, a political police body under the Ministry of the Interior.

Since July 11, 2021, Yenisey Taboada Ortíz is a different person from who she used to be. Her days pass between posting videos on Facebook to denounce the abuses against her imprisoned son, protester Duannis Dabel Leon Taboada, or searching for food and hygiene products to fill a bag she will bring him—when she is not forbidden from visiting—at Combinado del Este prison.

Perhaps you who’s reading this would feel the same way if your entire family—I repeat, your entire family—had recently been infected with a “virus” or is currently infected, and you don’t even know what it is, how to treat it, or who to turn to. You also know that the country’s healthcare system is in chaos.

The announcement made on November 13, 2025, regarding the discussion of the Government Program to reinvigorate the Cuban economy — within the structures of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and other social organizations, between November and December — indirectly but unmistakably confirms that there will be no official floating exchange rate before the end of the year.

Since 2022, the exchange rate in Cuba’s informal market has shown high volatility. Within a matter of weeks, the price of the dollar or euro can soar, stabilize at a new high, and then fall sharply. However, it rarely returns to its starting point.
According to a 2023 World Economic Forum report, deepfake videos on the internet are increasing at an annual rate of 900 %.
Facing a liquidity crisis and a growing loss of financial credibility, the Cuban government has launched a new strategy to attract fresh foreign currency: granting greater autonomy to foreign companies in the tourism sector.
“Do you have the guts to bleed?” That’s the slogan used to promote a clandestine fighting league in Cuba that offers up to 20 euros per match. Amid the country’s deepening economic and social crisis, dozens of young people between 19 and 31 years old agree to fight without an audience, hoping to earn in one night what many don’t make in a month of state employment.
In early May 2025, El Toque published a list of the dollar stores we were able to find in Cuba. At that time, we counted 85 establishments that sold their products exclusively in foreign currency. Now, five months later, we count 209 — an increase of 146%.
In the midst of blackouts lasting up to 25 hours and more than 3 million Cubans facing limited access to drinking water, Miguel Díaz-Canel once again promised “victories.” Yet while his talk centers on creative resistance, families turn to homemade inventions to collect rainwater and survive in increasingly precarious conditions.
Dust turned to mud. More poverty upon barren land. The little food grown in the fields washed away and thousands of homes destroyed or damaged. That is the picture across several towns in eastern Cuba after Hurricane Melissa struck on October 29, 2025.
Venezuelan ruler Nicolas Maduro recently received bad news when he asked for help from his Cuban partners. Sources close to the Venezuelan government said that, in mid-October 2025, the dictator met in Caracas with Cuban advisers to discuss possible military or logistical support from Havana amid the growing presence of US forces near Venezuelan shores.
Keys to understanding the new wave of foreign currency demand.
As the country dollarizes its economy, citizens improvise, adapt, and survive, aware that each liter purchased or each empty tank left behind is a reminder of the distance between official rhetoric and real life.
From Raul Castro to Fernandez de Cossío: the same FALSE discourse persists to deny political prisoners and accuse Amnesty International.

INFORMAL FOREIGN EXCHANGE
MARKET IN CUBA (REAL TIME)

toque_logo_white
1 EUR490.00 CUP
1 USD450.00 CUP
1 MLC
280.00 CUP
-5
1 CAD273.69 CUP
-2.07
1 MXN19.95 CUP
-0.71
1 BRL74.03 CUP
+1.28
1 ZELLE442.78 CUP
+3.88
1 CLA424.86 CUP
+0.26
Calendar iconCUBA
publicidad_banenr