Extreme rationing in one province of Cuba: bread now only for minors

The basic basket bread in the province of Guantánamo will be distributed only to children aged 0 to 13 years, as well as to prioritized social institutions, the Provincial Government reported this Thursday.

The drastic measure -replicated on its channels by the is a response, according to local authorities, to the instability in the supply of flour to the province due to limitations in the arrival of wheat to the country.

The distribution will exclusively benefit children aged 0 to 13, hospitals, educational centers, and the Family Care System. The measure will take effect on May 9 and will remain "temporarily, until conditions allow for a return to the usual distribution for the entire population."

The announcement sparked an avalanche of reactions ranging from outrage and distress to skepticism on social media, where dozens of users questioned the impact of the measure on adolescents, the elderly, pregnant women, and workers—groups that are particularly vulnerable in the current context of food crisis.

Reactions: disbelief, criticism, and distrust

Among the hundreds of comments on the announcement, a mother questioned what families with children older than 13 who are also studying will do. Another person bitterly joked that this is "a Mother's Day gift." Many users recalled that in Cuba "what is temporary always remains," alluding to unfulfilled governmental promises from the past.

The exclusion of elderly individuals was another of the most frequently voiced criticisms. Several people pointed out that many seniors rely on that bread as their only meal of the day, and with minimal pensions, it is impossible for them to buy it in the informal market. "When they touch the bread, they hit rock bottom," asserted another widely shared comment.

The measure has also sparked bitter mockery and comparisons to other food restrictions imposed by the regime. "Not even bread is safe. What’s next, rice by lottery?" quipped an internet user.

A problem that is worsening throughout Cuba

The case of Guantánamo adds to a series of recent reports regarding the bread crisis in various provinces of the country. In Havana, a bakery had to bake using firewood due to a lack of gas and electricity. In Matanzas, the sale of croquettes and tostones was promoted as a substitute due to the shortage of flour.

In Santiago de Cuba, the price of bread has reached 50 pesos per unit, while in Matanzas officials publicly admitted that there is only enough bread for one day. The state media has also acknowledged a “price anarchy” in Havana, with no quality control or oversight in street vending.

The situation with flour is critical: at the end of February, only the mill in Cienfuegos was operational, which made it impossible to meet the national demand. In provinces like Artemisa and Santiago, the distribution of bread has completely collapsed.

An exceptional measure or part of a trend?

Although the Guantanamo government insists that the measure is temporary, the history of "temporary" decisions that have become permanent fuels public distrust. Cubans remember that the weight of bread was reduced in 2024 on a provisional basis and never returned to normal.

In a country where the biblical phrase "give us this day our daily bread" has lost its literal meaning, the measure taken in Guantánamo reinforces the perception that shortages and the impoverishment of the basic necessities have become institutionalized.

While the regime attempts to frame these decisions as necessary and circumstantial, the Cuban people perceive them as symptoms of a collapsed economic system, lacking real solutions and political will to guarantee the most basic food rights.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bread Rationing in Cuba