A cart pusher was arrested recently by the police in the neighborhood of Lawton, in the Havana municipality of Diez de Octubre, and the reaction of the witnesses was to loot the sales point, taking the goods. The incident has sparked a debate on social media.
"The degradation of humanity, in its most extreme expression, sees the owner of a wheelbarrow of produce taken prisoner while the very people steal the produce," wrote Glenda Rancaño as she shared the images.
"I feel disgust and shame at such great dehumanization. My respects to the woman who at least tried to do something different,” he added in reference to a woman who directly confronted the authorities in defense of the arrested individual, who is not visible in the video.
Hunger as justification
In the video, a woman justified the looting by claiming that "the people are hungry", and that they preferred to take the root vegetables before they were confiscated by the police.
That comment illustrates the desperation of many Cubans, who face extreme difficulties in accessing basic food.
In the images, men and women of various ages can be seen picking up pumpkins, malanga, and other root vegetables from the ground while some witnesses look on, merely observing or recording the incident.
“He's not doing anything wrong, he's not selling marijuana or illegal things!”, was the reaction of a woman holding a child in her arms.
"This is the new man created by the assassin of Fidel Castro"; "The worst enemy of a Cuban is another Cuban. Cuba, a failed state"; "This is what these communists have turned us into"; "They deserve 66 more"; "Honestly, I spend more time feeling ashamed to be Cuban than being proud of it," were some of the comments.
The situation became even more controversial when an officer holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel began filming the looting with a cellphone.
Seizures, "a pyrrhic victory?"
Recently, the official communicator, Lisandra Martín, referred to the announced wave of seizures against the private sector in the neighborhoods as a "pyrrhic victory."
Martín acknowledged that these sales may be illegal and price-gouging, such as a chicken pack for 4,000 pesos, but he questioned the government's inconsistency in allowing other exorbitant prices in state stores, such as a pork loin for 62 USD.
The official communicator emphasized that the harassment of private individuals especially impacts the most vulnerable communities, where informal offerings fill the gaps of the official distribution system.
"If you as a local government CANNOT bring food to the neighborhoods, let those who can do it. Legalize them and collect taxes. Or I don’t know... But DO NOT REMOVE THE OFFER under any circumstances", he concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions about Looting and the Food Crisis in Cuba
Why was the cart pusher arrested in Havana?
The cart vendor was arrested in Havana for possibly selling products illegally, which sparked a violent reaction from witnesses who looted the sales point. The arrest is part of a series of government actions against street vendors, accused of violating economic regulations in Cuba.
What was the reaction of the population following the arrest of the vendor?
After the arrest of the cart vendor, witnesses looted the stall, taking the available food items. This act reflects the desperation of the population due to the food shortage and the perception of injustice by the authorities. The situation has sparked a wide debate on social media regarding the economic and social crisis in Cuba.
What comments did the incident generate on social media?
The incident generated a variety of comments on social media, ranging from criticism of the Cuban government to expressions of shame regarding the behavior of the people. The situation was seen as a reflection of "human degradation" and "dehumanization" caused by the misery in Cuba. The government's consistency was also questioned as it allows exorbitant prices in state stores while sanctioning private vendors.
How does the food crisis affect citizens in Cuba?
The food crisis in Cuba has led to extreme situations where citizens resort to looting and gathering food from the ground to survive. The shortage of basic goods and high prices in the formal market make obtaining food a daily struggle for many Cuban families, reflecting the lack of effective responses from the government.
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