HAVANA, Cuba AEUR” Marco offered his house for sale. It is a one-bedroom concrete home located outside of the capital city, just blocks from the coast. He hopes to sell nearly everything he owns to pay for the trip out of Cuba.
“Everything is available for sale. He says, “Everything is for sale.”
Marco is reluctant to reveal his full name for fear of government repercussions if he speaks out about his plans to leave.
He will be the latest Cuban to flee the island. Many people are crossing the border by land from Mexico to America. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, more than 35,000 Cubans were recorded at the southwest border of the United States in April. This is almost the same number as for the entire 2021 fiscal year. Because Cuba is experiencing a severe economic downturn, they are fleeing. As leaders from the hemisphere gather at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles this week, immigration will be a key theme. But communist-controlled Cuba is not invited.
Marco lost his job in architecture during the coronavirus epidemic. According to Marco, the economic situation deteriorated last year after the government scrapped the dual currency system and retained only the Cuban peso. He says that inflation has skyrocketed and that the state has taken control of everything.
He admits that starting a new lifestyle will be difficult, but he insists, “but at the very least, I’ll have tried.” “I can’t even do this.”
It hasn’t been easy to get away. Marco had been asking for $15,000 to buy his house. He now says he’d even take $8,000.
Havana’s real estate broker describes the housing market like “fishing season” because there is so much property for sale.
Alfredo is his only name, and he asks for anonymity so that he can freely talk about his work. Alfredo sells all his items in U.S. Dollars and all transactions are made outside Cuba. There are more than 2000 listings.
“If there are 24 houses on one block, 20 are available for sale. He says that four of the houses are being sold.
The Cuban government attributes the collapsed economy and mass migration to the U.S.
Cuba’s vital tourism industry has suffered, particularly during the pandemic. The country is now unable to find the money to purchase essential goods aEUR”, everything from food and fuel oil to basic food. According to Omar Everleny, a Cuban economist, a piece of fruit or meat costs 1,000% more than it did last year.
Cuba’s inequality is increasing.
Everleny states that there is now a clear distinction in society between people who live on a salary from the state (aEUR) just increased to around $50 per month aEUR”) and those who receive help from family members abroad.
Those who are able to leave are those who cannot. The lines outside foreign embassies can be long. While waiting in Havana, near the Panamanian Embassy, a woman receives a call from her husband. Because she is also afraid to discuss plans to leave the island, she wants to be identified only as MarAa.
They are trying to obtain a Panama transit visa. She says, “Then we’ll go to Nicaragua and search for work.” Cubans have just been granted visas. They then head north towards the U.S. border.
Cuba’s youth are leading the exodus. A group of teenagers are seen rapping and twerking in an Old Havana hallway.
One 18-year old says he wants more possibilities. He goes by the stage name El Chulito. He doesn’t want his real name to be revealed or discuss politics. It’s all about music, and Cuba is the only place that can provide it.
