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Elizabeth González Aznar, daughter of the creator of the anti-anemia supplement Trofin, has sent a public message to President Miguel Díaz-Canel, denouncing the economic and social crisis that the country is facing.
In a social media post, he highlighted the dramatic increase in food prices and the lack of guarantees to meet basic needs such as food and medicine.
"Mr. President, allow me to inform you about the current prices of food in Cuba: bread (a bag of 7 loaves) at 200 CUP, rice (1 kg package) at 750 CUP, oil 1 liter at 1,000 CUP, beans at 350-400 CUP per pound, sugar (1 kg package) at 700 CUP, tomatoes at 50 CUP per pound, chicken at 350 CUP per pound, ground beef at 300 CUP per pound, eggs at 100 CUP each."
Moreover, she said ironically: “And it's all just crazy. Meanwhile, the basic basket remains on a 'nobody sees it' plan,” the woman pointed out, denouncing the ongoing irregularities in the sale of food through the rationing booklet.
González also reported the lack of responses from the authorities and mentioned that he has submitted complaints to the government of Havana, the Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN), the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), and the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) without receiving any solutions.
In his post, he highlighted his family's struggles to make ends meet: "There are four of us at home: two adults, an elderly person, and a middle school child. My father and my son have lunch and dinner at home, while us adults eat when we can. That means 1 pound of rice a day, costing 300 CUP per pound. How much is that for a month? Between 9,000 and 10,000 CUP. Where will it come from, my friend? And that’s just the rice, which we know isn’t the only thing needed for a meal. Feeding ourselves isn’t a choice; it’s a basic necessity that is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve."
He also referenced the crisis in access to medications: "My father is hypertensive and my son has asthma. Their medications don’t reach the pharmacies, at least we can’t get them because it’s impossible. So we have to buy them on the street. Where from?" he emphasized, pointing to the high prices of medicines in the informal market, which is practically the only way to obtain pharmaceuticals in Cuba today.
The energy crisis was also present in his message: "Now the gas has run out again, and there are also blackouts. How does the working Cuban cook when he gets home?"
The scientist's daughter concluded with a call to the authorities to provide real explanations and solutions to the public: "The discourse cannot continue to be futuristic, much less triumphalist, no. To reach tomorrow, we must survive today. How? Could you or some leader make an appearance on the Mesa Redonda and explain to us, not the reasons for this disaster, because we already know them, but how we are going to keep surviving. We need it. Our survival resources are running out."
Her publication captures the sentiments of many Cubans who are facing increasingly complicated days in a country where, in her words, "living is a luxury and surviving is becoming more difficult each day."
González recently reignited the debate on inequality in Cuba, following the INDER granting cars to athletes loyal to the regime, while key figures in science and health remain overlooked.
Through a post on Facebook, González raised concerns about her father, Dr. Raúl González Hernández, a 79-year-old Cuban scientist and creator of Trofin, an anti-anemia supplement that has been used in the country for more than three decades.
On another occasion, talking about her father, the Cuban revealed that he has been forced to beg for medication for his relatives and, despite the seriousness of her accusation, she stated that she does not fear reprisals because she believes that the institutional indifference towards him has been evident since his retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Economic and Social Crisis in Cuba
What are the main economic challenges currently facing the Cuban population?
The Cuban population is facing a severe economic crisis characterized by unchecked inflation, shortages of food and medicine, and rising prices in the black market. The lack of basic resources and the increase in living costs have driven many families into desperate situations, forcing them to rely on remittances from abroad or the informal market to survive.
How is the economic crisis affecting food in Cuba?
The economic crisis has led to a rise in the cost of basic foods, making products like rice, sugar, and oil difficult to obtain for most families. The prices of these items have reached exorbitant figures, forcing Cubans to turn to the black market or to accept less healthy substitutes due to the lack of affordable options.
What allegations has Elizabeth González Aznar made about the situation in Cuba?
Elizabeth González Aznar has publicly denounced the inefficiency of the Cuban government in managing the economic and social crisis, questioning the lack of effective solutions to address the issues of shortages and high prices. She has also criticized the institutional indifference towards scientists like her father, Dr. Raúl González Hernández, creator of the anti-anemia drug Trofin, who is facing difficulties in accessing the medication he developed.
What impact does the lack of recognition for scientists in Cuba have?
The lack of recognition affects both access to benefits and the personal dignity of scientists in Cuba. The country's intellectual property policies register discoveries in the name of institutions, rendering individual contributions invisible. This leaves many scientists without the respect and attention they deserve, as is the case with Dr. Raúl González Hernández, who does not receive the proper recognition for his work on the development of Trofin.
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