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At the age of 97, Guillermo García Frías, one of the figures of the "historical generation" of the revolution, made a reappearance this Saturday at the inauguration of the Oasis Assisted Reproduction Laboratory, located in Jimaguayú, Camagüey, which is dedicated to the fertilization of cattle in order to boost the struggling livestock industry in Cuba.
A report from the government-run Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN) noted that in the "modernized" facility, which received an investment of over half a million euros, García Frías stated that it exemplified "what the state economy represents, focused on doing more for the future of the people."
In the center, where egg extraction, maturation, and fertilization procedures will take place until embryos are formed, they have 150 donors and aim to reach 300. With these figures, they anticipate achieving between 300 and 400 embryos monthly in the laboratory.
The embryos will be placed directly into permanent recipient cows or frozen in straws, with the aim of accumulating different breeds and providing implantation services to requesting producers.
In the laboratory, breeds such as White Cebú, Bermejo, Chacuba, Criolla, Santa Gertrudis, and Siboney will be managed, aiming to achieve a technical efficiency of up to 38 or 40% with the application of embryos.
Known as the "Cuban ostrich czar," García Frías is one of the most powerful retired military figures within the ruling elite of the dictatorship.
She manages the Flora and Fauna Business Group alongside her children and grandchildren, a conglomerate of companies dedicated to the conservation of protected areas in Cuba.
García Frías became the subject of mockery and a target for popular memes when he claimed in 2019, during a broadcast of the television program Mesa Redonda, that ostriches were being "cultivated and developed" in the country, a bird capable of producing "more than a cow."
Now, his bet on cow insemination recalls one of Fidel Castro's obsessions, which was to develop a breed that combined excellent qualities of milk and meat. To achieve this, he imported cows and bulls to crossbreed with local breeds like the Zebu, aiming to produce more productive animals that could withstand the Cuban climate.
This project was meant to take root through the genetic crossbreeding of various imported cattle breeds, which led to artificial insemination becoming a new objective for the communist leader.
In 1981, Fidel Castro announced in a speech a new record for Cuba's most famous cow, Ubre Blanca. According to the then-president of the Cuban government, the cow had produced 89.9 liters of milk in one day.
The cow, which was even protected by security forces, was part of a genetic manipulation program devised by the leader to significantly increase the production of milk and meat in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Reopening of the Assisted Reproduction Center in Camagüey and Its Impact on the Cuban Livestock Industry
Who is Guillermo García Frías and why is his participation in the inauguration of the assisted reproduction laboratory in Camagüey relevant?
Guillermo García Frías is a prominent figure of the "historic generation" of the Cuban revolution and is known as the "Cuban ostrich czar." His involvement in the inauguration of the laboratory in Camagüey is significant due to his role in promoting livestock projects in Cuba, aligning with the socialist government's strategies to boost the state economy and national production.
What is the objective of the Oasis assisted reproduction laboratory in Camagüey?
The Oasis assisted reproduction laboratory in Camagüey aims to primarily stimulate the struggling livestock industry in Cuba. This will be achieved through the fertilization of cattle and the production of embryos to enhance the efficiency and productivity of livestock farming in the country.
What breeds of livestock are managed at the Oasis laboratory and what is their technical efficiency goal?
The laboratory manages breeds such as the White Cebú, Bermejo, Chacuba, Criolla, Santa Gertrudis, and Siboney. The goal is to achieve a technical efficiency of 38 to 40% in the application of embryos, which is expected to significantly contribute to increasing livestock production in Cuba.
What is the investment made in the assisted reproduction laboratory in Camagüey?
The investment made in the assisted reproduction laboratory in Camagüey exceeds half a million euros. This investment is part of an effort to modernize the facilities and improve livestock production capacity in the region.
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