The former Cuban spy Gerardo Hernández, national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), has faced criticism for promoting a private business that restored a property located on a central corner in Havana.
In a post on the social network Facebook, Hernández praised the "rebirth" of the corner of Zapata and Paseo, and accompanied his publication with a photo of the café Papi Rey, fully illuminated with the name of the place in neon lights.
Later, claiming to be unaware of what that place was -even though the neon lights prominently display the name- he defended himself against the hundreds of criticisms received for promoting a private business that sells snacks, burgers, salads, pizzas, and pasta, at prices accessible to only a few in Cuba, and for celebrating the site being fully lit while half of the island is in blackout.
"I passed by from a distance, and I was struck by the revival of a corner that was once in ruins. I took the photo and wrote what you read: 'A corner is reborn...'. I didn't mention what is functioning in the building because I didn't know, nor was that the purpose, the former spy justified."
Internet users continued to criticize that he didn't even stop to think about who should own the business to be in a prime corner location.
"It must be someone important, in the same avenue. They managed to change the name and the prices are extremely high; the rumor has it that it's to launder money," wrote one person.
Most people agreed that the business belonged to the same owner of the cafe located at the corner of 25 and G, Rey & Gaby, whose girlfriend has a space at Havana airport: "How is it possible that in such a difficult Cuba, these businesses can survive?"
According to Gerardo, he is unaware of either the prices offered at the site or how much they pay in taxes and "social contributions to the municipality": "I don't even know if they have a power generator or use LED lighting, which consumes less, nor if there is usually a line or not... I just assume that if it is so 'in plain sight,' it was done in accordance with what our laws establish", he wrote.
Challenging the claims of the regime official, Cubans questioned whether the business operated with "adherence" to the laws.
"Hardly anyone goes there, and it doesn't go bankrupt because the few who do are the great elite of this country... cover the expenses... But the question is... How can they have prices with a profit margin higher than 30% approved and not get caught by the inspectors? Simple... Inspectors don't go there, one declared."
The place has been around for nearly a year, said internet users, and it belongs to individuals with influence in the regime's upper echelons.
"It has owner of the heavyweight titles, 29 and Paseo direct route, frozen area, a few blocks from the Plaza de la Revolución, mandatory route, round trip, presidential caravan, not just anyone can do business on that route", someone else noted."
The prices at the café that Gerardo celebrated range from one thousand for drinks to double that and more for hamburgers, pizzas, and salads. The menu showcases a wide variety of foods and boasts its home delivery service.
Recently, there has been a decline in Mipymes in Cuba due to a combination of economic and political factors, including the economic crisis, recession, inflation, and government restrictions on wholesale trade. These issues have severely impacted sectors such as hotels, restaurants, industry, and commerce.
In that context, the question arises of how a private business can survive in a central street, with access to various food suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Gerardo Hernández Controversy and Private Business in Havana
Why did Gerardo Hernández face criticism for promoting a private business in Havana?
Gerardo Hernández received criticism for promoting a private business that operates in a privileged area of Havana, while much of the island faces power outages and economic challenges. Critics pointed out that the business has prices that are unaffordable for most Cubans and questioned the lack of state inspections due to alleged ties with the regime's elite.
What is the context of the shortages and challenges for businesses in Cuba?
In Cuba, the economic crisis, recession, inflation, and government restrictions on wholesale trade have led to a decline in Mipymes. These factors have severely impacted sectors such as hotels, restaurants, industry, and commerce. The survival of private businesses in prime locations raises suspicions about compliance with regulations and equal opportunities.
How does Gerardo Hernández respond to the criticisms regarding his private business?
Gerardo Hernández argued that he was not aware of the type of business or the prices offered at the location. He stated that he assumed the business operated in accordance with the law, but his justification did not convince many Cubans, who see the case as another example of the disconnection between the government and the realities of the people.
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