Cuba's Economic Crisis Deepens Amid Currency Changes and Wage Delays

Cuba is facing an acute economic crisis, compounded by recent currency changes and significant delays in salary payments. According to OnCuba News, the Cuban government has implemented a new system for managing foreign currency transactions, as outlined in a decree-law and accompanying regulations that came into effect on December 17, 2025.

These measures allow for temporary foreign currency transactions, aiming to stimulate economic activity and increase foreign exchange income, although the central goal remains to restore the peso as the dominant currency.

However, many families are struggling as widespread salary delays have become a critical issue. Reports indicate that while the number of affected workers has decreased, structural causes persist, leading to widespread discontent.

Workers have expressed feelings of vulnerability due to these delays, which affect their ability to meet basic needs. The Cuban Labor Code mandates that salaries be paid monthly, but many sectors, including agriculture and sugar production, face chronic payment issues.

In some cases, workers in provinces like Camaguey have gone months without receiving their wages, leading to desperation among families. The lack of liquidity, raw materials, and administrative errors have been cited as reasons for these payment delays, further aggravating the crisis.

The situation underscores the deepening economic struggles in Cuba, where the intersection of currency regulation and wage delays is creating a challenging environment for workers and their families.