Shops at the Habana Libre Hotel in Havana have temporarily closed, with a sign stating they will reopen only in US dollars, highlighting the ongoing dollarization trend in Cuba's economy.
In the heart of El Vedado, the commercial galleries at the Habana Libre Hotel display an improvised sign taped to the glass: “Closed. To be reopened soon in USD”. This step, reported by Natalia López Moya from 14ymedio, eliminates the use of the national currency, the Cuban peso, and signals a new phase in the evolution of these spaces.
The retail complex, once glamorous and exclusive, has endured stages of significant wear and tear, with empty corridors and sealed main entrances. It now shifts toward foreign-currency sales, a path that sidelines those reliant solely on pesos. Dollarization in Cuba alters not just payment methods but also elevates establishment standards: renewed lighting, efficient air conditioning, fresh employee uniforms, and higher-quality goods.
Upon reopening, leaks in the corridors are anticipated to be fixed, removing the dirty cardboard that once covered puddles and dispelling the persistent musty odor. This trend underscores how, in contemporary Cuba, repairs and renewal arrive primarily via the US dollar, embodied in bills featuring Washington or Lincoln. The hasty decision, lacking logos or stamps, mirrors the improvisational nature of the nation's economic choices.
