Cuba's secret economy

Cuba's secret economy
Monday, July 4, 2011
Franklin Reyes / AP

This gold tooth maker in Cuba charges up to $40 per tooth, using gold
melted down from jewelry and trinkets he buys from secret suppliers.
He makes his living in Cuba's black market.

One goal of Cuban President Raul Castro's economic opening is to
legalize at least a portion of the black market so that those making a
living from it will register themselves with authorities and pay taxes.
However, for this man it may be a little harder to come clean, as the
sale of gold is regulated, so those who melt it down for use in false
teeth are not able to get licenses and continue to be part of the black
market.

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