Related videos:
President, I am writing to you as a woman from Baracoa, a working woman, a fighter, and a single mother who needs to provide for two children and three elderly adults. Right now, the situation in Baracoa regarding the supply of food to the population is terrible; it is almost nonexistent, and we are being left to starve. This "super" salary barely suffices to contend with the outrageous prices in the black market.
Today, a pound of pork is around 150.00 pesos, a pound of chicken is priced between 100 and 120 pesos, a kilogram of powdered milk is quoted at 350 pesos, a liter of oil ranges from 300 to 350 pesos, and a dozen eggs costs 450 pesos (with one egg costing 10 pesos).
If you do the math, my salary doesn’t compare to that of many workers, especially when we add up electricity, water, phone, etc. That’s why I ask you to analyze and prioritize Baracoa. It’s not about sending a delegation to embed themselves in the government so they can be fed lies left and right. It’s about having people sent from the central level engage with the community and hear the concerns of the people, because it's very easy to demand RESISTANCE while the average Cuban is struggling and local leaders are living the "dolce vita"...
¿Sabía usted que en Baracoa están filmando una versión de PINOCHO? El set de filmación lo armaron en el gobierno municipal, lo que en estos momentos está parada la filmación por la cantidad de protagónicos con el papel de PINOCHO... y el equipo de casting, aún no se decide a quién le dan el papel principal de PINOCHO, si será para el intendente, o para el presidente del gobierno, o para el presidente del CAM o no se sabe. Es que todos son unos mentirosos. Los funcionarios del gobierno están como si nada, y sabe por qué, porque tienen su alimentación asegurada.
La situación está tensa, por favor no la compliquen más, no la pongan más "caliente" de lo que ya está, yo estoy reclamando mi derecho a tener una alimentación como Dios manda, no como quieran estos "vive bien" del gobierno local.
De un momento a otro, el pueblo de Baracoa se tirará para la calle pero ¿por qué? Porque están exigiendo un derecho del ser humano, la ALIMENTACIÓN, y están hartos de tantas mentiras y tanta desfachatez de los dirigentes del municipio. Y están cansados de tantas sinvergüenzadas, de ver cómo los jefes locales hacen cosas a la cara de la gente. ¿Hasta cuándo vamos a tener que soportar esto? Yo como mujer cubana, trabajadora, que no me pagan en MLC, que vivo de un salario para mantener 2 niños y 3 ancianos (amén de las pensiones que reciben) solo exijo lo que me toca, mi derecho, y no me diga a mí que con la cuota de la canasta básica el cubano de a pie vive con esa "cuota", eso es algo que también deben de analizar. Aquí en Baracoa no se vende huevo, ni pollo, ni pescado, etc. Solo arroz, frijoles, azúcar, café, en lo que refiere al mes en curso.
Con relación al pescado –por eso hice un punto y aparte–, nunca se ha vendido este producto en las carnicerías de las bodegas, y es difícil de creer un pueblo pegado al mar y el estado no suministre pescado a la población. ¿Usted, Presidente, puede explicarme eso? Una ciudad con una amplia línea costera, no puede su gobierno local abastecer de productos del mar a su población. En la historia de la humanidad, muchos pueblos que viven en franjas costeras su principal renglón de producción son los productos del mar, y son pueblos con menos recursos que Baracoa, y de vez en cuando venden sus pescados y mariscos. Ahora, le dirán en el gobierno que "sí se vende pescado en Baracoa" pero a qué precio, eso es una falta de respeto.
Look, I want to share a reflection. When the United States government included Cuba on the list of countries that sponsor terrorism, I thought to myself: "Now, the Yankees have really lost it." But after seeing the prices of some seafood products at the fishing establishment, I realized that the person who set those prices is the real TERRORIST, and that's why Cuba was included on that list (which, as a Cuban, I do not approve). No worker who lives on their salary can afford even a pound of these seafood products because "the prices just don't match what they earn," but these are things I can't understand, just as many fellow citizens do not understand. Another example I can give you: do you know how tetí (a type of young fish typical of Baracoa) is caught? Catching it does not require advanced technology or anything like that; all you need are some nets and a group of people willing to help. You know, President, how much does a kilogram of tetí cost? At the fishing establishment, it’s over 80 pesos—those are terrorist prices—and that is a disrespect to the people. A small jar of tetí cost much less on the black market; during the "Soviet era," a jar cost between 0.50 and 1.00 peso. Now I ask, why not include these seafood products in the basic basket once a month? Agriculture is a total disaster. Sometimes I see on TV how places with makeshift land and few resources grow everything, while here in Baracoa, a fertile land, the government is completely ineffective regarding agriculture. Many are "putting their heart into Cuba," just as you asked to "put heart into Cuba," but local leaders seem to be putting something else in instead—sorry, but that’s the plain reality. I only tell you one thing: connect with the people, and they will tell you how much truth there is in this. But if you do, make sure the people you send do not come accompanied by any "officials" from here... This should not be a "quick visit"; it should be a real working visit, walking through the town and talking to the humble. Isn’t this a revolution of the humble, by the humble, and for the humble? President, that shows a lack of resilience, a lack of love for work, a lack of belonging, and a lack of love for your people. I don’t believe someone with that mindset (referring to the shameless leaders) should hold their current positions. Ah! And let me clarify, no one is paying me for this. I do this because today my "magic" isn’t enough to feed two children under 5 and three elderly people over 70. I do this as a Cuban, as a Baracoesa who loves this land and wants the best for my people. Best regards, A SUPER INDIGNANT Baracoesa...
Filed under: