| 1 EUR | 351.00 CUP | |
| 1 USD | 347.00 CUP | |
| 1 MLC | 275.00 CUP | |
| 1 CAD | 223.00 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.
Cuba Suffers Another Nationwide Power Failure
The island is in darkness again. Around 8:15 p.m. on March 14, 2025, a failure at the Diezmero substation caused a significant generation loss in the western part of the country, leading to the collapse of the National Power Grid, said the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Internet in Cuba Is One of the Worst in the World
On February 26, 2025, Cuba’s telecommunications monopoly advised its customers, as a temporary measure, to set their phones to 2G frequency. “This way, the connection will be more stable, and you will be able to receive calls and SMS, and also use Transfermóvil,” a payment gateway.
Cuban Hurricane Victim “They Want Me to Live in a Tent”
“This is what’s left of my house after the hurricane,” Yisneidis Ramirez writes on her Facebook page. Five photos show the palm boards scattered around on the ground and some roof tiles from what should have been her home.
Cuban Mothers Who Protest and the Power that Represses Them
On March 8, 2025, local state-run media published the news of the release of Mayelin Carrasco Alvarez, a mother from Granma who had led a solitary protest three days earlier in a town square in Río Cauto, Granma.
What We Know of the Cuban Government’s 55 Solar Park Plans
On February 21, 2025, the first solar photovoltaic park was inaugurated, with a capacity of 21.8 MW. The project, located in Cotorro—on the outskirts of Havana—is part of the island’s government’s bet on solar energy to address the country’s dire electricity situation.
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.
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.
The island is in darkness again. Around 8:15 p.m. on March 14, 2025, a failure at the Diezmero substation caused a significant generation loss in the western part of the country, leading to the collapse of the National Power Grid, said the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
On February 26, 2025, Cuba’s telecommunications monopoly advised its customers, as a temporary measure, to set their phones to 2G frequency. “This way, the connection will be more stable, and you will be able to receive calls and SMS, and also use Transfermóvil,” a payment gateway.
“This is what’s left of my house after the hurricane,” Yisneidis Ramirez writes on her Facebook page. Five photos show the palm boards scattered around on the ground and some roof tiles from what should have been her home.
On March 8, 2025, local state-run media published the news of the release of Mayelin Carrasco Alvarez, a mother from Granma who had led a solitary protest three days earlier in a town square in Río Cauto, Granma.
On February 21, 2025, the first solar photovoltaic park was inaugurated, with a capacity of 21.8 MW. The project, located in Cotorro—on the outskirts of Havana—is part of the island’s government’s bet on solar energy to address the country’s dire electricity situation.
Many Cubans complain on social media and in statements to independent media about being without electricity for up to a day or more.
The end of the CPB One app leaves Cuban and other migrants seeking legal entry to the USA facing a crossroads.
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.
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.”
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 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.
INFORMAL FOREIGN EXCHANGE
MARKET IN CUBA (REAL TIME)
