HAVANA, October 26 (Regina del Sol and Alejandro Hernández,
AIDH/CubaNet) - Since the September 11 attacks in the United States, the
shortage of goods in dollar stores, the drop in value of the peso, the closing
of hotels and layoffs in the tourism sector are unmistakable signs of the
worsening of the economic situation in Cuba.
The tourism ministry says 10% of Cuba's hotels are now closed and that the
occupancy rate in those still open is very low, although an uppick in tourists
is expected in December. Laid off workers have been sent home with 60% of their
salaries - and no tips in dollars.
Since September 11, the value of the peso has dropped from 20 to 26 to the
dollar and some specialists are predicting it will go to 30 pesos next month.
Products like rice and tomato sauce have started to become scarce in stores
that quote prices in dollars, especially in Ciego de Avila, according to a
source in that city.
Here in the capital we can point to the absence of toothpaste in the San Lázaro
e Infanta, Maisí and Mercado de 70 stores, the latter being one
frequented by foreign diplomats. Toothpaste could only be found in the
Commercial Center at 5th and 42nd street, even then only in small quantities.
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