eltoque.com

What is elTOQUE.com

elTOQUE is an independent multimedia news platform focused on Cuba. Its website (eltoque.com) describes itself as “periodismo útil para la Nación cubana” (useful journalism for the Cuban nation). (elTOQUE)
Key points about its identity:

  • It’s created to provide news, legal information, service-content and analysis for Cuban communities, both on the island and abroad. (elTOQUE)

  • It also provides specialized tools: they list “Tasas de elTOQUE” (informal currency-market rates in Cuba) and “Legalis” (access to Cuban legal norms) among other services. (elTOQUE)

  • They are based, in part, outside Cuba: the editor-in-chief (José Jasán Nieves) is a Cuban journalist based in Florida. (LinkedIn)

  • On social media they present themselves as telling “Cuba in its diversity, complex and also sometimes painful or hidden.” (YouTube)

What kind of content they publish

Here are some themes and types of content you’ll find on elTOQUE:

  • Political and social issues in Cuba: For example, articles about detentions, human rights, legal changes. On their site: “¿Cómo actuar ante una detención?” or “¿Qué hacer si usurpan mi casa en Cuba?” (elTOQUE)

  • Economics, especially currency and markets: They track the informal exchange rate of the Cuban peso (CUP) and other currencies. For instance: 1 USD = 435 CUP (according to their tracker). (elTOQUE)

  • Legal content: They offer access to norms (Gaceta Oficial), legislation, and run a “Legalis” project: “Encuentra la norma legal cubana que buscas.” (elTOQUE)

  • Diaspora & migration issues: They have specific sections for “Cubanos en Estados Unidos”, “Cubanos en España”. For example: “Cubanoamericano se convierte en alcalde más joven electo en la historia de Hialeah” (in the US) (elTOQUE)

  • Multimedia: They have a YouTube channel, Instagram, etc. (Instagram)

Why it matters

  • Because Cuba has significant media constraints, a platform like elTOQUE provides independent perspectives, analysis, and data that may not be widely covered in state or mainstream outlets.

  • Its currency-tracker is widely referenced: given major economic instability and currency market fluctuations in Cuba, having near-real-time data on informal exchange rates is of interest to many people inside and outside the country.

  • It links legal norms with practical citizen issues: e.g., “What to do if your house is usurped” or “How to change your name and surname in Cuba?” These are direct service pieces that can help people navigate legal or social challenges in Cuba.

  • It connects diaspora and island realities: By covering Cuban communities abroad (US, Spain) as well as on the island, it bridges two spheres frequently disconnected.

Business / Organizational aspects

  • It is labelled as a project of the Mas Voces Foundation, Inc., at least on the website like in the footer (financial registration info). (elTOQUE)

  • The fact that it offers apps (on Android) suggests an investment in mobile and digital reach. (Google Play)

  • They have multiple product-areas: regular news, legal tool, currency tracker, videos, etc — which suggests a hybrid model combining news + services.

  • On social media, they are active and have large followings (e.g., Instagram ~70K followers) which suggests significant reach. (Instagram)

Challenges, Controversies & Risks

  • The platform is subject to political pressure: For example, in 2024 the Cuban government accused elTOQUE of being part of a US-backed scheme to manipulate the informal currency exchange rate and destabilize the economy. (Reuters)

    • The particular issue: the state accused the platform of publishing higher than “official” exchange rates, calling it “financial terrorism”.

    • elTOQUE responded saying the accusations are “ridiculous and implausible”. (Reuters)

  • Operating in Cuba’s environment means risks for journalists, platforms: legal, regulatory, access issues. Independent media often face restrictions, threats, lack of access, or reprisals.

  • The currency-tracker itself, while useful, depends on data that can be volatile or opaque (market transactions, informal market postings). So accuracy and methodology are always subject to scrutiny.

  • Audience trust & funding: Independent media often need to manage funding transparency, potential perceptions of bias, particularly in politically-charged contexts like Cuba.

Methodology / How they appear to operate

  • The site mentions their methodology and policy of corrections (“Metodología y política de corrección”). (elTOQUE)

  • For the currency tracker: They say they use artificial intelligence (AI) to scan online messages where buyers/sellers list prices. (This is described in the Reuters piece) (Reuters)

  • They appear to segment content for different audiences: island Cuba, diaspora communities, legal/rights-oriented content, service information.

  • They mix news, data, explanatory/analysis, multimedia (video) and interactive tools (apps).

  • They provide “boletín mensual” (monthly bulletin) on currency market signals. (elTOQUE)

Audience & Reach

  • The audience is likely Cubans on the island, Cubans living abroad, and those interested in Cuban affairs (economy, politics, migration).

  • Their social media presence (Instagram, Facebook) shows active engagement. (Facebook)

  • They produce content in Spanish (primarily). They also mention “Language: English” on the website header, so possibly some content or navigation for English-speaking audiences. (elTOQUE)

  • By offering tools like the currency tracker and legal resource, they attract users looking for practical, service-oriented content, not just news.

Strengths & Unique Features

  • Practical service orientation: not just reporting, but giving tools (currency tracker, legal norms, diaspora resources).

  • Focus on an under-served market: Cuba’s independent media space is limited; a timely, data-rich, independent platform stands out.

  • Multi-platform strategy: website + apps + social media + multimedia content.

  • Connecting diaspora and island-based issues: by covering both sets of communities, they broaden relevance.

  • Transparency: They state methodology and correction policy upfront. That helps build trust.

  • Data-driven: The currency tracker implies a quantitative/data component, which adds value beyond commentary.

Limitations & Considerations

  • In a politically constrained environment like Cuba, independent media may have limited on-the-ground coverage or face challenges verifying certain kinds of information.

  • The reliance on informal market data (for currency rates) means the numbers may fluctuate, may have margin for error. Users should treat them as approximate rather than official.

  • Funding and independence: As with any independent outlet, questions around how it is funded, potential biases or influences, etc., are relevant for assessing content.

  • Reach in Cuba: Internet access and connectivity in Cuba is still limited for many people; so although the platform is geared to Cuban audiences, actual reach inside Cuba may be constrained by infrastructure, censorship, connectivity costs.

  • Trust and perception: Because the Cuban state has accused the platform of malicious activity (per Reuters article) the platform’s credibility may be contested from certain perspectives. Audiences may interpret differently depending on their political stance.

Why you might want to follow or use it

If you’re interested in Cuban affairs, elTOQUE offers:

  • Regular updates on socio-economic dynamics inside Cuba (especially around currency, economy, market).

  • Legal information for Cubans facing issues (rights, normative changes, procedures) which can be useful if you work with or study Cuban law or migration.

  • Diaspora coverage (US, Spain) which is useful if you’re in those communities or working on Cuban migration.

  • Data-tools (currency tracker) which might help scholars/researchers keep tabs on market developments on the island.

  • Independent perspective — alternative to state-media narratives.

Key Takeaways

  • elTOQUE is an independent Cuban-focused multimedia platform offering news, analysis, data tools (especially around economy/currency), legal information, and diaspora content.

  • It appeals to Cubans inside and outside the island, and to specialists/observers of Cuban affairs.

  • It has particular strengths in providing practical services and data-driven content (e.g., informal exchange rates).

  • It operates in a challenging environment: scrutiny from the Cuban state, data verification demands, connectivity limitations.

  • If used critically (i.e., understanding source context, methodology) it can be a valuable resource.

FAQ

Q: Is elTOQUE a Cuban government-platform?
A: No. It is independent of the Cuban state. In fact, the Cuban government publicly accused it of “financial terrorism” in 2024, alleging it manipulated currency rate info — which the site denies. (Reuters)

Q: Can I trust the currency exchange rates they publish?
A: They publish data on the informal market rates in Cuba. They say they use AI scanning of online postings to estimate rates. (Reuters) While useful, these are not official state rates and should be treated as one estimate among others.

Q: Does elTOQUE publish content in English?
A: Their site indicates a language toggle (Español / English) at the top. (elTOQUE) Which suggests some English-language support or nav options, though the bulk of content appears Spanish.

Q: How large is their presence on social media?
A: On Instagram they have about 70 K followers and active posting. (Instagram) On Facebook their page shows large engagement (735 K likes). (Facebook)

Q: How is elTOQUE funded?
A: The site is a project of Mas Voces Foundation, Inc. as stated in their site footer. (elTOQUE) They publish transparency info (registration) but specific revenue/funding sources are less visible (as is common with many independent digital media).

Q: What are the major sections of the website?
A: Some of the major sections: Economy (Economía), elTOQUE Jurídico (legal), Society (Sociedad), Videos, Diaspora (Cubanos en EEUU / España), Special reports (Especiales). (elTOQUE)

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