Where condoms are used as birthday balloons, fishing

A man throws inflated condoms carrying baited hooks for fishing in Havana, Cuba Photo: Reuters

Cubans use them to fish, ferment wine, fix punctures or tie up hair; latex condoms have become the ultimate multipurpose tool on the Communist-run island where shortages of basic goods have forced locals to become masters of invention.

Decades of U.S. trade sanctions and a dysfunctional Soviet-style, centralized economy mean the aisles of Cuba’s shops are often glaringly bare. And when available, imports that are sold at a steep mark-up by the state or on the black market may be too expensive for those on an average state wage of $30 (Sh3,00) per month.