Cubans queue to ditch US dollars

Cubans have been able to use dollars for a decade - but no more

Cubans have been joining long queues to hand in their US dollars, before a deadline making them officially worthless in two weeks' time.

Banks and exchange kiosks were jammed as Cubans sought to sell their dollars, which have been legal tender there for more than a decade, for Cuban pesos.

After 8 November, Cubans will have to pay a 10% surcharge to exchange any leftover US currency.

Cuba banned dollars from transactions in response to a tightened US embargo.

President Fidel Castro announced the change of policy on Monday, accusing Washington of "mafia-like" moves limiting cash and people flows to the island.

People would rather keep their money in dollars. They know the Cuban peso is useless when they leave Journalist Oscar Mario Gonzalez

The change will be felt by everyone on Cuba, where many everyday transactions are carried out in dollars.

"Can you exchange any amount?" a young man asked at a kiosk window in Havana.

"Are they going to ask you for your ID or to justify where you got the money from?" another asked people in the queue.

Cubans are sent a huge amount - more than $800m a year - from family members abroad, more than the country earns from its major export, sugar.

They will still be able to hold dollars, but will not be able to spend them in commercial transactions.

Backing

Convertible Cuban pesos are pegged par to the dollar, but are worthless outside the country.

Some in the queues backed Mr Castro's decision.

People are rushing to exchange money before the deadline

"This is not an arbitrary decision. It is due to the unilateral action of the US government against Cuba," said book editor Cesar Ramos.

Others said they were sorry to be giving up a hard currency.

"People will have to change their dollars to live off, but they would rather keep their money in dollars," said dissident journalist Oscar Mario Gonzalez.

"They know the Cuban peso is useless when they leave the Cuban coast."

On Thursday the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly, 179 to 4, for a resolution condemning the US "blockade" on Havana - the 13th year in a row it has taken that position.