A video that has rapidly gained attention online showcases a lengthy queue of individuals outside a bank located on La Rampa in El Vedado, a part of Havana's Plaza de la Revolución. These scenes have become a regular feature of Cuba's ongoing banking crisis, as people wait to withdraw cash.
The short clip was shared on Facebook by Teresa Pérez Salazar. It depicts the queue at the ATMs of Branch 264 of the Banco Metropolitano, situated on Calle 23 between P and Malecón.
In her posting, the user criticizes the withdrawal limit at these ATMs, which is set at 5,000 Cuban pesos per transaction. She points out that this amount is insufficient, barely enough to purchase basic necessities like a package of chicken and a bottle of oil.
Directly addressing Miguel Díaz-Canel, she questions, "How long will this continue? Leave, nobody can stand you. It's appalling to limit the working people while you and your circle live as you please."
The Crisis Worsens Across Cuba
Across the nation, similar lines are forming at banks. Back in April 2026, EFE reported wait times of four to six hours at Havana banks, primarily filled with retirees attempting to collect pensions of a mere 4,000 pesos.
The situation has deteriorated rapidly in recent months. By June, Banco Metropolitano had further reduced the withdrawal cap from 5,000 to 3,000 Cuban pesos per transaction in Havana. In provinces like Sancti Spíritus, the limits plummeted to just 500 pesos.
On July 18, a journalist captured enduring an eight-hour wait on a curb to access cash at a capital city bank, an image symbolizing the daily ordeal faced by over 1.7 million Cuban retirees.
Challenges Exacerbate as ATMs Fail
The crisis is compounded by the fact that over 50% of ATMs in Havana are out of service. Banco Metropolitano also halted digital queue reservation systems—MiTurno and Ticket—due to power outages, further escalating the chaos.
In response to the breakdown, the Central Bank of Cuba issued Resolution 74/2026, effective from July 20, which lifted the 5,000-peso cap for cash transactions among economic actors.
This move was seen by analysts and media as an implicit acknowledgment of the failure of the mandatory banking policy initiated in August 2023, which attempted to enforce digital payments without addressing underlying issues: a shortage of cash, frequent blackouts, and poor connectivity.
Emergence of a Black Market for Cash
The cash shortage has also spurred the growth of an underground market for physical currency, where intermediaries charge commissions of 30% to 45%. As an example, to withdraw 2,000 pesos, a person must transfer 2,800, paying 800 pesos in commission.
The video has garnered over 303,000 views on Facebook, concluding with the slogan "Patria y Vida. Freedom for Cuba!"
Understanding Cuba's Banking Challenges
Why are there long lines at Cuban banks?
Long lines are due to the severe cash shortage and low withdrawal limits set by banks, forcing people to wait extended hours to access their funds.
How has the withdrawal limit changed in Cuban banks?
The withdrawal limit at Banco Metropolitano in Havana was reduced from 5,000 to 3,000 Cuban pesos per transaction, and even lower in other provinces.
What is the impact of ATM malfunction in Cuba?
With more than half of Havana's ATMs non-functional, the inability to reserve digital queues due to power outages has worsened the situation, causing longer waiting times.