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The food scarcity is hitting the Cuban population hard. In the annual report from the Ministry of Food Industry (MINAL), Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz acknowledged the lack of protein in the diets of Cubans, but did not announce effective measures to reverse the crisis.
"We need food and, above all, proteins," stated Manuel Marrero. He added that "the safest food comes from domestic production," but he did not mention that it is state inefficiency that has caused a significant part of this food crisis in Cuba.
Currently, eight of the nine basic basket products depend on imports. While Cubans have neither rice nor sugar in their homes, the leaders of the government apparatus, well-fed and oblivious to the hardships of the people, justify the crisis with the American embargo.
They promise to increase production, but the reality is bleak
The Minister of Food Industry, Alberto López Díaz, presented plans for 2025 that include a 26% increase in contributions to the State and the doubling of cooperative production.
However, the figures do not change the everyday life of Cubans. Bread has been reduced to 60 grams, and fishing barely meets half of the country's needs.
The report also called for strengthening the cultivation of shrimp, tilapia, and catfish, but without real investments or incentives, production remains stagnant or is directed towards exports. The revenue generated from sales in the international market does not reflect in the domestic economy of Cubans, who are becoming increasingly impoverished.
According to Marrero, "importing coffee makes no sense," but the country should "plant more cocoa" and stop its privatization because "that is gold."
While the government debates where to invest and which sectors to prioritize, state markets are empty and food prices in the private sector are unaffordable for most workers.
The regime insists on blaming external factors, but many experts warn that the problem is internal. Decades of centralization, neglect, and lack of investment have led to a complete dependence on imports to feed the people.
In 2023, the government acknowledged its failure to fulfill a promise made in 2019 regarding the guarantee of five kilograms per capita of animal protein each month. By 2025, the situation is much more critical than it was two years ago; there is no meat, fish, or eggs on the tables of families on the island.
The official rhetoric clashes with an evident reality: Food is scarce for the majority of Cubans, but not for the elite that governs the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Food and Economic Crisis in Cuba
Why is there a shortage of protein in Cuba?
The scarcity of proteins in Cuba is largely due to state inefficiency and reliance on imports for most basic basket products. Despite promises to increase local production, the lack of proteins remains in the diet of Cubans, impacting their nutrition and quality of life.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the food crisis?
The Cuban government has proposed to increase the production of shrimp, tilapia, and catfish, as well as to improve the distribution of essential products. However, these measures lack real investment and incentives, which has resulted in stagnation in production and a continued shortage in state markets.
How does the elimination of subsidies on the basic basket affect Cubans?
The removal of subsidies for the basic basket represents a significant blow to Cuban families, as essential products become unaffordable due to high prices. The government has promised to redirect the subsidies to vulnerable individuals, but has not specified how this measure will be implemented.
What are the main criticisms of the Cuban government regarding the food crisis?
The main criticisms of the Cuban government include inefficiency in state management, lack of investment in local production, and excessive centralization that has created a chronic dependence on imports. The government tends to blame external factors such as the U.S. embargo, instead of taking responsibility for its own failed policies.
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