The Central Bank of Cuba recently unveiled its new 2,000 and 5,000 peso banknotes, and the Cuban populace responded in the way they know best during times of hardship: by mocking the regime.
The official bills, featuring portraits of Celia Sánchez Manduley and Mariana Grajales Cuello, began circulating in Havana on Wednesday. However, an alternate, irreverent, and hilariously satirical gallery of suggested replacements for these figures has already taken social media by storm.
Leading this humorous charge is Yusuam Palacios Ortega, a young deputy known for his fervent revolutionary speeches. In a parody series by user Tony Ex-Flaco, Yusuam is depicted as "Yusuam the Sexy," valued at a mere half peso.
Comedian Andy Vázquez chimed in on Facebook, declaring Yusuam as the "Joyful Youth," suggesting he deserves the recognition. Another popular figure in the parody bills is the troubadour Silvio Rodríguez, who once requested an AKM to defend the regime. Social media user Woody Alguacil Cubano proposed a "10,000 peso NATIONAL BOND featuring Silvio for all the national vanguards."
The Facebook profile Edmundo Dantés Junior made a strong case for his preferred candidate, the Minister of Internal Trade, Betsy Díaz Velázquez: "If they don't make this one, I want nothing."
International political figures like Donald Trump and Marco Rubio also make appearances on the satirical currency, grinning widely.
To top it off, the controversial Cuban influencer La Cintumbare, known for her "patriotism," graces the 2,000 peso bill.
Despite the humor, these memes underscore a grim reality. The new 5,000 peso bill is worth less than ten dollars, starkly highlighting the collapse of purchasing power on the island. Cubans have summed it up with biting humor on social media: "My salary on a bill."
The economic backdrop is dire: Cuba's economy contracted by 5% in 2025, with a total decline exceeding 15% since 2020. In this context, the high-denomination bills symbolize not prosperity, but rather the rampant inflation eroding the everyday lives of Cubans.
Understanding Cuba's Economic Struggles through New Banknotes
What is the significance of the new 5,000 peso banknote?
The 5,000 peso banknote represents the severe drop in purchasing power in Cuba, being worth less than ten U.S. dollars.
Who are some of the figures featured in the parody versions of the Cuban banknotes?
Parody versions of the banknotes feature figures such as Yusuam Palacios Ortega, Silvio Rodríguez, Donald Trump, and La Cintumbare.
Why are Cubans creating memes of the new currency?
Cubans are using humor to cope with and critique the economic struggles and the regime's policies, turning new currency into a meme as a form of satire.