what is happening in cuba right now
If you don't know what is going on this is for you.
This post is going to be about :
Cubans are being starved right at this moment
Cubans have been subjected to a severe system for the past 61 years, which has resulted in a lack of freedom of expression, voting rights, starvation, and a pandemic. Not only are Cubans starved from food they are starved from their freedom, that every citizen is meant to have.
Cuba is going through inflation rates as well (this means, "the rate at which prices increase over time, resulting in a fall in the purchasing value of money"). Here are some examples :
- Rice at normal rate costs 5 Cuban pesos : But as of June 2021 the cost has increased by 300% to over 20 Cuban pesos
- Beans usually cost about 10-12 Cuban pesos : But as of June 2021 the cost has increased by 108.3% to just about 18-25 pesos
The ordinary Cuban cannot afford a months worth of food due to the lack of food and rising prices.
Stores right now are only accepting the American dollar.
The average Cuban makes just about 300-400 non convertible pesos a month, and the ones who make the most to about 1,000 pesos (these are the doctors). But any Cuban has to trade in 28 pesos for a convertible one (CUC)(Cuban convertible peso) *1 CUC = 1 USD* Therefore 28 pesos = around 1 USD.
400 CUP (Cuban pesos) = 15$ USD/CUC
1,000 CUP = 37$ USD/CUC
Seniors receive only about 260 CUP a month, which means just about 10$ USD which they cannot afford to convert. This inflation means starvation to them. More food is available at Cuban supermarkets that accept the American dollar that in any other. Converting to USD is tough even if you have CUC instead of CUP, this is unless you have family who sends you money in USD. In certain stores the lineup might stretch for up to 8 hours. Despite the fact that there is a long line, many people are sent home with nothing in their hands as the stores close. These establishments force many people to go hungry unless they have money from outside Cuba, as smaller grocery stores close.
US Embargo.
Well what is embargo ?
"Embargo is an official ban on trade and other commercial activity with a particular country."
The embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba American firms and businesses with commercial activities in the US are prohibited from doing businesses with Cuban interests. It is the longest running trade blockage in history.
What is truly killing Cubans.
The Cuban government has a lengthy history of starving the country's citizens. The present initiative to open stores that only accept dollars rather than the Cuban peso is reminiscent of the country's past discrimination against it's citizens. Cubans are left to starve while the Castro family and those who help operate the system live in luxury.
Castro's dictatorship has been in power for more that 61 years ; elections are not held in Cuba, and activists are unable to participate. Activists are constantly jailed, every area has a pro-government watch, and even neighbors' opinions are not safe. In Cuba, there is no such thing as free expression. Criticism implies jail and fines that the typical Cuban will be unable to pay.
* main way is to educate yourself, educate others, make this known. Media coverage do whatever you can to make others aware. It will always help.
* donate funds
They will be collecting funds through Zelle at
cubanospalante@gmail.com
all the money will be used to :
- Support mutual aid projects on the island
- Recharge phones (data plans) for Cubans on the ground coordinating support packages
* Cuba : humanitarian military intervention - petition
Stay safe and take care.
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