The new supermarket recently opened by the Cuban regime at the Gran Muthu Habana Hotel experienced a shocking episode of violence on Saturday among customers waiting in line at one of its counters.
Located at the corner of 3rd and 70, the establishment only accepts cash in dollars or cards linked to foreign currency accounts for the purchase of food and hygiene products that are in short supply in Cuba.
The scarcity and the friction caused by the need to buy essential goods using a currency in which most salaries are not paid in Cuba create irritation and discomfort among the population, even among "privileged" customers who can access the offerings of this establishment.
A video circulating on social media captured the moment when a woman and a young man confronted each other in one of the lines of people crowding around a counter in the supermarket, where, apparently, cheeses and other dairy products were being handed out.
Although the reason for the argument was not clear, the video captured the level of aggression displayed by the confronting customers, who had to be calmed down by other individuals and security personnel at the establishment.
At the time of writing this note, it is still unknown what the outcome of the confrontation was, or if the police authorities had to intervene in the events.
Beyond these details, the incident highlighted the discontent permeating contemporary Cuban society, which watches with growing uncertainty the arrival of the new year amidst increasing dollarization driven by the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel's "continuity."
The violent incident that took place at the new dollar supermarket located in the Gran Muthu Habana Hotel is not an isolated event, but rather part of a recurring pattern in the daily life of Cubans, characterized by chronic shortages of basic goods and growing economic inequalities.
In recent years, similar incidents have occurred in various provinces across the island, reflecting the deterioration of living conditions and the impact of the partial dollarization of the economy.
Violence in queues for food and basic products
Long lines to acquire essential goods, such as food and liquefied gas, have become a breeding ground for desperation and violence.
In April 2022, a chaotic brawl in a line to buy oil at a Cuban shopping center resulted in several injuries and caused turmoil in the area. Similarly, in September 2021, a scuffle involving dozens of people waiting in line to purchase chicken in Alamar highlighted the collective stress that Cubans face due to food shortages.
More recently, in June 2024, in HavanaA brawl broke out in a line to buy breadamid reports of blackouts that hinder access to basic goods. Such events have occurred in various provinces, where Cubans must contend not only with shortages but also with the physical and emotional exhaustion resulting from hours of waiting in precarious conditions.
Queues and dollarization: an explosive combination
The partial dollarization of the economy, driven by Díaz-Canel's government, has intensified economic inequalities.
In November 2024, clashes among customers desperate to withdraw money from collapsed banks in Havana highlighted the growing discontent among the population.
Furthermore, the reliance on dollars in exclusive establishments, such as the supermarket at the Gran Muthu Habana Hotel, has created a sense of exclusion and privilege that fuels social tensions.
A problem of structural roots
The violence in queues reflects a structural problem in the Cuban economy, which is unable to meet the basic needs of the population.
In March 2023, a fight over sausages in Isla de la Juventud once again highlighted how a lack of planning and reliance on limited resources create situations of collective desperation.
These increasingly frequent incidents highlight the need for structural solutions that go beyond mere palliative measures. In the meantime, the Cuban population continues to confront daily life with uncertainty, violence, and inequality, exacerbated by a dollarization that excludes the majority of citizens who rely on salaries in pesos.
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