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Although authorities claim that the financial statements of many state-owned enterprises in the province of Las Tunas are positive, only one third of the physical production planned for the first quarter of 2025 was achieved, as revealed in the analysis of the economic performance in the region during that period.
“The people do not eat explanations,” reprimanded the first secretary of the party in the province, Osbel Lorenzo Rodríguez, questioning the arguments of the executives of state enterprises with unmet production plans, amid a situation where the figures may look good, but tangible production continues to fall short of the population's needs.
While the analysis once again resorted to the pretext of the effects of the "blockade" imposed by the United States, internal failures and blockages were acknowledged. "No one is authorized to fail to comply for subjective reasons," Lorenzo warned, according to the report from the provincial newspaper 26.
The leader also described the territory's economic recovery as slow. Agricultural production, sheep and rabbit meat production, and charcoal production are below what was planned.
Moreover, it was mentioned the disconnect between management by the executives and the actual demands of the population, especially in rural areas.
The data presented indicates that by the end of March, only one third of the anticipated physical productions were achieved. However, retail sales and commercial circulation maintained stable figures, which, according to authorities, point to a harmful trend: sustained positive balances due to high prices, which increase companies' revenues, but it is "awful news for the economy of the province of Tunas as a whole, because it perpetuates the vicious cycle of inflation and supply depression," the newspaper stated.
The sugar agro-industry exemplifies this contradiction: it is expected to reach historical lows in sugar production, although revenues from byproducts such as molasses may soften the accounting results. However, this situation could necessitate imports of the product, undermining the goal of self-sufficiency, especially considering that Las Tunas had the largest sugar plan in the country, although without providing specific data.
The governor Yelenys Tornet Menéndez stated: “Physical productions are the key indicator.” In her remarks, she also highlighted other critical issues, such as delays in payments to farmers, inefficiencies in investments, and illegalities in the use of land and livestock.
Furthermore, there is a delay in the disbursement of the social assistance budget, with 4% remaining unspent in the first quarter of the year. This is "money that should be used efficiently, but without unnecessary delays; because it benefits the most vulnerable segments of the population," emphasized Lorenzo.
In contrast, the private sector exceeded its estimates for contributions to the government budget, although its economic performance is usually not included in the official analysis. However, its relationship with the state apparatus came under scrutiny, resulting in about 50 administrative measures and nearly 90 political sanctions after multiple violations were detected.
Although the accounting balances continue to show encouraging signs in some cases, government authorities acknowledge that the economy is unable to meet the most basic needs of the population.
In June 2024, during a visit to Las Tunas, the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel urged Cubans to “guapeo” to achieve food self-sufficiency instead of “thinking about what will come from the basket.” At the same time, he insisted that the responsibility for ensuring that citizens' basic needs are met lies with local governments and not with the leaders who control the centralized and planned economy of the communist regime.
The authorities have acknowledged the state of neglect affecting the agricultural sector in Las Tunas, characterized by a lack of food for animals, unpaid dues to producers, malnutrition in livestock, a lack of institutional support, and ongoing theft of cattle from their farms.
There are also many delays in the processes to expand land for those who already own more than 10 cows, which limits the possibilities for growth and sustainability of the farms.
The shortage and low productivity in the country have forced the government to continuously extend the tariff exemption as a temporary relief measure for the population, without implementing long-term structural solutions.
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