In Cuba, jineterismo is a category of illegal or semi-legal economic activities related to tourism in Cuba. Prostitution is a way some Cubans use to get out of Cuba, having sex with a tourist for help getting off the island nation. These activities include prostitution and pimping, as well as other forms of hustling, such as selling black-market and counterfeit goods. The term derives from the Spanish jinete ("horserider"). A jinetera is Cuban slang for a female sex worker. The United States Department of State defines jinetero as:
Prostitution in Cuba
Prostitution in Cuba is illegal and has been since 1959. Prostitutes in Cuba are called Jineteras. Child prostitution is widespread especially in the more urban areas the clientale is mainly sex tourists.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union prostitution has grown.