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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Dnica Coto

INSANE: Cubans struggle to survive on pocket size government ration books as products dwindle | Rare Historical Photos

Vendors wait for customers at a weekly food fair in Alamar, Havana province, Cuba, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) - (AP)

Empty shelves and dwindling supplies are the stark reality for many Cubans, as the country's long-standing ration book system struggles to provide basic necessities.

José Luis Amate López, who works at a state-run bodega in central Havana, has seen barely any customers in almost two weeks, a testament to the deepening economic crisis.

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