Two Cubans arrested with a stolen car and a cargo of 1,300 pounds of coffee

Two individuals were detained on a road leading to the Urbano Noris municipality in the Holguín province while transporting nearly 1,300 pounds of coffee distributed in 28 nylon bags, according to reports from the official Facebook profile Cazador-Cazado.

The detainees, identified as Yasmani Perdomo Pupo and Rosel Caballero Rojas, were traveling in a car coming from Santiago de Cuba that did not belong to them and was also bearing a stolen license plate.

The authorities intervened in a timely manner and thwarted the transfer of the illegal shipment, which, according to the official source, constitutes a case of "misappropriation" and "hoarding."

Both detainees face charges related to speculation and hoarding, offenses for which they have been turned over to the appropriate authorities.

As of the closing of this report, no further details about the case have been disclosed.

Other coffee thefts in Holguín

This is not the first time in recent years that there have been arrests in Holguín for coffee thefts involving a similar modus operandi.

In November 2023, a man was arrested in that province while driving on a road in a stolen tourist car and with 24 bags of coffee beans totaling about 1,200 pounds of the desired grain.

In that case, it was reported that the car, a Kia Picanto, had previously been stolen from a Canadian citizen in the Holguin province.

That same year, in July, a similar incident was reported when a man was arrested for transporting 1,500 pounds of coffee in a tourist car in the town of Alto Cedro, in the municipality of Cueto.

In that case, the police tried to stop the "tur," but the driver fled. However, a police checkpoint in a neighboring town caused the individual to abandon the car and run away.

In their escape, the occupants forgot to take the lease agreement with them, which contained the details of who rented the vehicle, ultimately leading to the capture of those responsible, as it was not a case of a stolen car.

Also in the same province, at the end of that month, a man was arrested for transporting bags of coffee and sugar in a tourist vehicle that had been stolen in Guantánamo.

The shortage of coffee in Cuba has become a constant in the everyday life of Cubans, affecting both domestic consumption and the cultural tradition represented by the daily "tacita."

In a country where coffee is an essential part of identity and social routine, long lines and rationed sales through the supply booklet have restricted access to the product, leading to discomfort and resignation among the population.

The shortage of supplies, low domestic production, and difficulties in importing, compounded by the economic crisis, have resulted in a shortage of even the coffee mixed with peas—once a common alternative for decades.

The crisis in the Cuban coffee sector reflects the decline of an industry that was once thriving. The lack of investments, the deterioration of agricultural infrastructure, and the migration of labor towards more profitable sectors have impacted domestic production.

This has compelled authorities to prioritize exports in order to generate foreign currency, while domestic consumption experiences a decline in both the availability and quality of coffee that reaches warehouses and stores selling in foreign currency.

As a result, coffee has become an increasingly inaccessible commodity, which fuels citizens' frustration and further highlights the structural limitations of the Cuban economy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee Seizures and the Informal Market in Cuba