Díaz-Canel charges against private transporters: "They have abusive prices"

The Cuban ruler Miguel Diaz-Canel He charged this Thursday against private transporters whom he accused of having abusive prices.

The leader dedicated the third episode of his YouTube program 'From the Presidency' to addressing transportation in Cuba, which is going through its worst crisis in recent decades.

But far from recognizing the responsibility of his administration in the current debacle, he placed the blame on individuals.

According to him, distinctions must be made among private carriers: those who operate with a license and have links with transport companies in the territories, and those who do so illegally.

"And that has to do with the way prices are handled, which are actually abusive," he criticized.

"These do not pay taxes, they are evading taxes, and they are carrying out a commercial operation, also for profit, without fulfilling responsibilities," he added.

The president acknowledged that the Transportation in Cuba is going through the "worst moments in recent years", but stated that it is a phenomenon linked to the global crisis.

According to him, the country does not have the income and fuel necessary to stabilize public transportation, which has a large part of its vehicles stopped, either due to lack of parts and poor technical condition, or due to lack of fuel.

"In at least 121 municipalities of the 15 provinces there is significant concern among the population due to the lack of transportation," he admitted.

The Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, was invited to the program, who reported that state public transportation currently serves less than half as many passengers as it did five years ago.

Before, 5.9 million travelers traveled daily and now only 2.7 million, so many people are forced to use private transportation, whose prices are usually unaffordable for the majority, Rodríguez said.

This also affects the movement of goods in the country, which is at half its capacity.