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Authorities arrested several individuals on the Peñalver road and Vía Monumental, in the El Repollo neighborhood of Guanabacoa, Havana, for transporting 23 bags of beef without the required legal documentation.
The information was shared by the official profile of Facebook "Carretera En La Mira,” which highlighted the police's involvement in the operation.
According to witnesses quoted in the publication, the arrest occurred when agents intercepted a tourist vehicle carrying meat, allegedly intended for the informal market.
The profile stated that the illegal meat trade jeopardizes the economy of consumers and that the scarcity of the product in official markets makes it a valuable commodity.
However, he overlooked the deep food crisis facing the Cuban people, who, in the face of scarcity, are forced to seek any alternative, legal or not, to guarantee some food in their homes.
According to the official profile, the real problem is not the chronic shortage of food or the lack of options to legally acquire meat, but rather the illicit trafficking that "threatens" the economy.
In recent months, Cuban authorities have
The most recent case occurred in Santa Clara, where the MININT dismantled a network for the illegal slaughter of livestock, seizing over 300 pounds of meat and arresting three individuals.
The band operated in strategic locations near the national highway, taking advantage of the demand for a product that is scarce in official markets and is unattainable for many Cubans due to its high prices.
Similarly, the police seized several pounds of beef and homemade weapons in an operation carried out in the municipality of Mella, where several people were arrested.
While the State presents these actions as a confrontation against crime, the reality is that food scarcity has driven segments of the population to engage in underground trade to survive.
In Holguín, a man was caught transporting three sacks of beef in a cart, a reflection of how the crisis has led to the rise of such practices.
In this context, the authorities have imposed strict penalties on the illegal slaughter and sale of livestock, without providing solutions to improve access to meat through legal means.
The police seized a car loaded with ten bags of beef at a checkpoint between this province and Las Tunas.
This seizure is part of a wave of operations aimed at curbing the black market, although it does not address the root of the problem: the lack of supply in state establishments and the inability to purchase for most Cubans.
Frequently asked questions about illegal beef trafficking in Cuba
Why were the traffickers arrested in Havana?
The traffickers were arrested for transporting 23 bags of beef without the required legal documentation, in a tourist vehicle, which is considered a crime in Cuba due to the strict laws against the illegal beef trade.
How does the shortage of beef affect the Cuban people?
The scarcity of beef in Cuba limits the population's access to an important source of protein. The high price and lack of availability in legal markets push Cubans to turn to the black market, where beef becomes a valued and hard-to-obtain commodity.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to combat illegal meat trafficking?
The Cuban government has increased police operations and penalties against the illegal trafficking of beef as part of an effort to control the black market. However, these measures have been criticized for not addressing the underlying cause: the food scarcity in official markets.
Why does the black market for beef persist in Cuba?
The black market for beef persists due to high demand and the lack of accessible legal options for the population. The scarcity and high prices at official sales points make the black market the only viable alternative for many Cubans seeking to meet their basic food needs.
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