Basic goods in Cuba are increasingly sold in U.S. dollars as economy collapses. 'Everything is scarce here - everything - even that wretched bread' | Fortune

"No Cuban can truly survive on the products from the ration book anymore, highlighting the inadequacy of the current food supply in Cuba."

"During the Special Period, Cubans lost an average of 5% to 25% of their body weight due to food scarcity, indicating the severity of the crisis."

"Amate López recalled that his assigned bodega was so full decades ago you could barely walk, contrasting sharply with the current emptiness of the store."

Cuba faces a dire economic crisis, resulting in empty store shelves and a significant reduction in the government ration book's offerings. Once a reliable source of subsidized food, the ration book now fails to meet the needs of families. Many Cubans struggle to afford basic goods, which are increasingly sold in U.S. dollars. The current situation is deemed worse than the Special Period of the 1990s, with citizens recalling better times when stores were well-stocked. The scarcity of essential items has left many unable to sustain themselves.

Read at Fortune