Cuban questions Law on concerns and requests: "Can we report the State for being incompetent and inefficient?"

Elizabeth González Aznar, daughter of the creator of the anti-anemic Trofin, questioned Law 167 of the System for Addressing Complaints and Requests from Citizens, which will come into effect on March 13. In a post on her Facebook profile, González Aznar expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the regulation and denounced the inefficiency of Cuban institutions, ironically asking: “Can we then report the State for being inept and inefficient?”

In his message, González Aznar listed a series of criticisms directed at various entities of the Cuban government, including the Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN), which he held responsible for the lack of basic goods; the Ministry of Energy and Mines, for issues with the supply of liquefied gas and electricity; and the Ministry of Finance and Prices, which he accused of perpetuating inadequate salaries and pensions that do not meet basic needs.

Moreover, he launched strong criticisms of the “economic restructuring” process led by the government, describing it as disastrous and stating that it has deepened social inequalities on the island. He also accused the National Assembly of not representing the interests of the Cuban people and denounced a general decline in quality of life, including difficulties in accessing essential food and medicines.

The Law 167, according to official sources such as Radio Rebelde and Cuba.cu, aims to institutionalize the attention to the complaints and requests of the population by establishing clear procedures for their management. Among its goals is the training of public officials to handle complaints with seriousness and efficiency, as well as the implementation of programs to evaluate and improve institutional responses. However, critics such as González Aznar have pointed out that, in a context marked by economic crisis and distrust towards institutions, these measures may be insufficient.

The head of the Office of Community Services at the Presidency, María del Carmen Cedeño, stated that the Law represents an "important step towards a more responsive and responsible public administration." However, the publication by Elizabeth González Aznar reflects a growing citizen frustration that questions the government's actual ability to address social demands.

Elizabeth González Aznar has, on other occasions, raised her voice against the Cuban institutions. Last December, she denounced the institutional abandonment of her father, Dr. Raúl González Hernández, creator of the anti-anemia medication Trofin. As she explained, her family has had to rely on acts of solidarity to obtain the medication while facing indifference from entities like BioCubaFarma.

On that occasion, her complaint generated a wave of support on social media, with thousands of messages of solidarity. González Aznar emphasized that she did not fear reprisals, as she considered the institutional indifference towards her father following his retirement to be evident. This context of prior accusations underscores her critical stance and her ongoing struggle to highlight the shortcomings of the Cuban system.

Frequently Asked Questions About Law 167 and Criticisms of the Cuban Government