After two years of staying home due to health issues, Yanet Rojas Rodríguez ventured out on Saturday with the hope of purchasing essential goods at the Calzada fair in Cienfuegos. Her outing ended in utter disappointment as no vendor accepted digital payments, forcing her to return home empty-handed and physically exhausted, as she shared on her Facebook profile.
Yanet, who lives in the Junco Sur neighborhood, revealed that digital payments are also not accepted in her area, prompting her to travel to the Calzada without success. She encountered the usual excuses from vendors: "I don't have a card, I don't accept transfers, you can only buy one product through transfer, I've reached my limit."
In her Facebook post, she expressed her frustration, stating, "DISAPPOINTMENT is the key word, plenty of offers... but NO ONE accepted transfers." She also highlighted speculative pricing and the presence of resellers who continue to profit while those earning a salary struggle to afford basic food supplies.
Yanet directly questioned local authorities: "Where is the direction of this Province to ensure compliance with what is legislated according to the Official Gazette?"
Wider Issues with Digital Transactions in Cuba
The scenario Yanet faced is not an isolated incident. According to reports from July 2026, only 3.77% of transactions in Cuba were digital, and in provinces like Sancti Spíritus, less than 10% of private businesses regularly accepted transfers. The official press had even acknowledged the failure of the digitalization process, labeling it a "social problem."
The government's response was to implement coercive operations: by the end of the week, over 15,240 fines and 269 closures were recorded nationwide due to non-compliance with electronic payment mandates. On Wednesday, five businesses in Bayamo were shut down for not accepting transfers, and by Friday, authorities in Guantánamo threatened fines and closures for refusing digital payments.
Underlying Structural Problems
However, the root of the issue lies deeper. A commenter named Mary Aleman clearly stated, "The fault doesn't lie with the sellers; it's with the BPA. When entrepreneurs try to withdraw money from their cards, they're told there's none." Without cash to restock, vendors cannot operate via transfers. The Banco Metropolitano reduced withdrawal limits to 3,000 CUP per transaction, and intermediaries charge commissions between 30% and 45% to obtain physical currency.
The Central Bank indirectly acknowledged the failure by issuing Resolution 74/2026, effective since July 20, which removed the rigid cash payment cap of 5,000 CUP between economic actors, dismantling the scheme imposed three years prior.
Osmani Becerra Peña, responding to Yanet's post, captured the widespread sentiment: "Unfortunately, wherever you go, you'll face the same; those of us working for the State are somewhat cursed."
Another follower, Idelma Frometa Ibañez, expressed the frustration felt by many Cubans, writing, "Speechless. How long will this last, for God's sake? The situation we face is extremely complex," before adding a sentiment many think but few dare to voice aloud: "From what I see, there's no hope for changes, at least not in the short term."
Understanding Cuba's Digital Payment Challenges
Why are digital payments not widely accepted in Cuba?
Digital payments are not widely accepted in Cuba due to structural issues, including a lack of available cash for vendors to restock and limitations imposed by financial institutions like the Banco Metropolitano.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address payment issues?
The Cuban government has enforced coercive measures, such as issuing fines and closing businesses that do not comply with electronic payment requirements. However, these actions address symptoms rather than the root causes.
What impact do these payment issues have on Cuban citizens?
These payment issues significantly affect Cuban citizens by limiting their purchasing power and access to essential goods, exacerbating economic hardships in an already challenging environment.