unofficial channels, or through official channels but by unofficial means. Though the term became prominent during the economic downturn known as the Special Period in Cuba, usage has continued into the mid-2000s. Aspects of Cuban sociolismo were exported to the United States via Cuban immigrants, who relied on friends and relatives in their new country for help in finding jobs, since they were not able to verify their skills or employment in Cuba. This was particularly prevalent in the largest Cuban-American community, in Florida. See also Economy of Cuba Rationing in Cuba Informal economy Compadrazgo (similar phenomenon in Latin America in general) Blat (similar phenomenon in Russia) Guanxi (similar phenomenon in China) System D (a similar concept of informality from European French). References Slang Politics of Cuba Economy of Cuba Private sector in Cuba Society of Cuba Corruption in Cuba