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The Cuban government has implemented a new strategy called "Guardians for My Store" to counteract criminal activities in establishments that host regulated products.
The idea, according to a report from the official newspaper Ahora, arises in response to the complex situation facing the Municipal Commerce Company of Holguín, where 13 criminal incidents recently occurred, including 11 break-ins and 2 attempted robberies.
The program, the official information details, was launched at the "4 de febrero" warehouse of the "Pedro Díaz Coello" People's Council, with the participation of authorities from the Communist Party and the government at both the provincial and municipal levels.
During the launch, additional measures were announced such as extending sales hours, reaching out to users via WhatsApp groups to access their goods in vulnerable warehouses, and developing a duty plan involving workers, leaders, and consumers.
They assured that surprise inspections will be implemented in various units during nighttime hours, the use of digital platforms and additional cash registers will be encouraged to reduce the amount of cash in stores, and a channel on Telegram will be created to facilitate communication with the public.
Despite the intention, which reflects a concern for protecting resources allocated for the population and ensuring that subsidized products reach their intended recipients without being diverted to the black market, the measure has generated criticism among citizens, who perceive it as an attempt to shift state responsibilities onto the population, without providing real solutions to the supply crisis.
"How are we going to monitor if there's not even food in the warehouses?" questioned a resident on social media, reflecting the frustration of many Cubans regarding the ongoing scarcity of basic products
The strategy "Guardians for My Warehouse" recalls other community watch initiatives promoted in the past, alongside the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), historically used for social control and the reporting of alleged offenders.
In this case, the focus is on protecting the warehouses, which have frequently been targeted by thefts due to the food crisis and the lack of resources to ensure their security
For example, in November 2024, the National Revolutionary Police arrested three individuals involved in the theft of items from the Regulated Basket at a store located in the Rampa Popular Council, Havana.
The criminals forcibly entered the establishment with the intention of stealing goods intended for the community, but they were captured thanks to the intervention of neighbors who alerted the authorities.
In January 2025, in the municipality of Unión de Reyes, Matanzas, the police arrested a man involved in the theft of basic grocery items from a local store. The authorities recovered sacks of rice and sugar, packages of coffee, bath soaps, and tubes of toothpaste at the suspect's home, products intended for the supply booklet.
These incidents reflect a worrying pattern in various provinces of the country. In Las Tunas, during the first half of 2024, 48 robberies in warehouses were reported, primarily concentrated in the municipalities of Las Tunas and Puerto Padre, with a significant increase during the months of July and August.
During 2023, 361 burglaries in Cuban warehouses were reported up to May, according to official figures. The most stolen products included rice, beans, powdered milk, coffee, vegetable oil, sugar, soap, and cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions about the "Guardians for My Warehouse" Strategy in Cuba
What is the "Guardians for My Warehouse" strategy in Cuba?
The "Guardians for My Store" strategy is an initiative of the Cuban government aimed at protecting establishments that store regulated products, to prevent theft and criminal acts. The goal is to involve the community and authorities to reinforce security in these stores.
Why was "Guardians for My Warehouse" implemented?
The strategy arises in response to the growing wave of thefts in warehouses across various Cuban provinces, particularly in Holguín, where criminal incidents have been reported that impacted the supply of basic goods to the population.
What measures are being taken under this strategy?
Among the announced measures are extended sales hours, the use of digital platforms to engage users, the implementation of surprise nighttime patrols, and the creation of a communication channel on Telegram to interact with the public.
What has been the citizens' reaction to this strategy?
The strategy has generated criticism among citizens, who believe that the government is shifting state responsibilities onto the population without providing real solutions to the supply and security crisis.
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