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Dollar Surges While Euro Stagnates: Cuban Informal Market Wraps Up the Day

Saturday, November 7, 2026 by Hannah Aguilar

As the clock strikes 8:00 PM local time in Cuba, the informal currency market concludes its trading session this Friday, November 6, 2026, with the U.S. dollar on the rise and the euro remaining unchanged compared to the previous day.

The greenback climbs to 935 Cuban pesos as an average value, while the European currency holds steady at 1,000 pesos. Meanwhile, the MLC shows a reference rate of 653 pesos, remaining unchanged from yesterday, albeit with limited trading volume.

The U.S. dollar closes at 935 Cuban pesos (CUP) this Friday, marking an increase of 7.5 pesos from the previous session, where it stood at 928 CUP. Over the past week, the greenback has risen by 57.5 pesos, reflecting a 6.6% increase from the 878 CUP recorded seven days ago.

Looking at the monthly trend, the exchange rate has climbed by 167.5 pesos compared to 30 days ago. However, it's important to interpret this comparison cautiously, as it may partially reflect adjustments in the index methodology. The dollar continues to dictate the pace of the informal market amidst a backdrop of chronic currency shortages.

The euro finishes the day at 1,000 Cuban pesos (CUP), with no change from the previous session. On a weekly basis, the European currency has gained 42.5 pesos from the 957 CUP it recorded a week ago, representing a 4.4% rise.

The peak over the last 30 days is at 1,001 CUP, just one peso above the current rate. It stands as the most expensive currency in the Cuban parallel market, surpassing the dollar by 65 pesos and solidifying its dominant position.

The MLC holds a reference rate of 653 Cuban pesos (CUP), unchanged from yesterday. However, data at this hour is scarce, so this value should be considered cautiously.

In the last week, the MLC has increased by 115 pesos from the 538 CUP noted seven days ago, marking a 21.4% surge. Without a physical presence, its use is confined to state-run stores that accept it, limiting its circulation compared to cash currencies.

Exchange rates are as follows: 1 USD equals 935 CUP, 1 EUR equals 1,000 CUP, and 1 MLC equals 653 CUP (indicative value, limited data). The official exchange rate from the Central Bank of Cuba (Segment III) is set at 793 CUP per dollar and 890 CUP per euro, significantly below the practical values prevalent in the informal currency market. The gap between the two markets exceeds 140 pesos for the dollar and 110 pesos for the euro.

Although Segment III was introduced as a more flexible exchange mechanism, its official rates remain far from those in the informal market and fail to meet the real currency demand of the population.

Over the past month, the official dollar rate has risen from 695 to 793 CUP, while the euro has increased from 782 to 890 CUP. This rise reflects sustained pressure on the Cuban peso but remains distant from parallel market levels.

In a context of persistent inflation, low state salaries, and increasing partial dollarization of the economy, every fluctuation in the informal market directly impacts domestic prices and the purchasing power of Cubans.

This Friday's close, with the dollar at a 30-day high according to available data, confirms the upward trend of the greenback against the peso in recent weeks.

The CiberCuba Exchange Rate index is an informal Cuban market indicator created from automated analysis of thousands of currency trading posts in Telegram and Facebook groups. The calculation excludes atypical offers and spam messages, weighs each operation according to its timeliness, and consolidates a representative value updated several times a day.

U.S. Dollar (USD) to Cuban Peso (CUP) equivalents based on this Friday's exchange rates: 1 USD = 935 CUP, 5 USD = 4,675 CUP, 10 USD = 9,350 CUP, 20 USD = 18,700 CUP, 50 USD = 46,750 CUP, 100 USD = 93,500 CUP.

Euro (EUR) to Cuban Peso (CUP) equivalents based on this Friday's exchange rates: 1 EUR = 1,000 CUP, 5 EUR = 4,998 CUP, 10 EUR = 9,995 CUP, 20 EUR = 19,990 CUP, 50 EUR = 49,975 CUP, 100 EUR = 99,950 CUP, 200 EUR = 199,900 CUP.

Understanding Exchange Rate Trends in Cuba

Why is the U.S. dollar increasing in the Cuban informal market?

The U.S. dollar is rising in the Cuban informal market due to a persistent shortage of foreign currency, leading to increased demand and higher exchange rates.

How does the official exchange rate compare to the informal market?

The official exchange rate is significantly lower than the rates in the informal market, with differences exceeding 140 pesos for the dollar and 110 pesos for the euro.

What is the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on Cuban society?

Fluctuations in the exchange rate directly affect internal prices and the purchasing power of Cubans, particularly in a context of low wages and partial dollarization of the economy.

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