The independent observatory Food Monitor Program (FMP) presented a report explaining that the current crisis in Cuba is not only comparable to the Special Period of the 1990s but surpasses it in intensity, depth, and accumulated deterioration.
In a recent statement, the organization outlined why it believes the economic and social situation of the island has reached unprecedented levels in its recent republican history.
According to FMP, the multifactorial crisis affecting the country since 2018 has worsened in recent years and has transformed the daily life of Cubans into an experience marked by scarcity, the collapse of public services, inflation, and food insecurity.
Unlike the 1990s, the current situation involves a more widespread deterioration, with multiple basic systems in simultaneous ruin, showing no signs of improvement or real reform from the government.
FMP argued that inflation has been one of the most devastating factors: between 2021 and 2023, it exceeded 500%, according to independent estimates.
The purchasing power of salaries and pensions has collapsed in the face of the cost of living, and in this regard, it was mentioned that a dozen eggs today costs almost two basic pensions and a kilogram of milk is priced the same as the minimum monthly wage.
The inflationary phenomenon is compounded by a growing dollarization of the economy, which has left the majority of the population unable to access the formal market.
The stores in national currency are empty or have disappeared, and the black market has become the only way to obtain basic goods.
The collapse of public services has further deepened the crisis, and it was mentioned that the electrical system, mostly made up of outdated thermoelectric plants over 40 years old, fails to meet national demand.
For the past five years, continuous blackouts have been reported, lasting up to 16 hours a day in various areas. This situation directly impacts food preservation, health, rest, and the basic functioning of social life.
The drinking water system is also in collapse, according to FPM, which highlighted that, in the case of Havana, for example, by the end of 2023 there were more than 2,000 unrepaird leaks.
More than half a million people lack stable access to running water and many have to store it on their own.
Distribution schedules can have intervals of up to four days, severely affecting hygiene and the ability to cook food safely, he emphasized.
Liquid petroleum gas, the primary energy source for cooking in Cuban households, has faced severe restrictions since 2019, according to FPM.
The situation worsened in 2025 when the interruption in product delivery left 41% of Cuban families without access to this fuel.
Many have had to resort to primitive methods such as cooking with firewood or charcoal in makeshift ovens, which poses risks to health and safety.
Due to the lack of gas and electricity, many people are unable to boil water or prepare food properly, exposing the population to the risk of contracting diseases.
According to surveys conducted by the FMP itself, more than 76% of families have seen their ability to cook affected due to power outages, and many have reduced the number of daily meals or changed their diet to cheaper and less healthy options.
The combination of these shortcomings has created a situation of food insecurity that forces thousands of families to reorganize their daily schedules, stay home to wait for water, or adjust their eating routines.
This context has led to a notable increase in social unrest, evident in neighborhood protests, pot-banging demonstrations, and spontaneous gatherings.
Among them, the protest on May 22 in Santiago de Cuba and Bayamo stands out under the slogan “Current and food”, as well as another that took place in Pinar del Río five days earlier, after more than 20 hours without electricity.
These expressions of discontent arise in an environment where, according to studies by the FMP, over 63% of the population attributes the situation to poor government management, while only 8% blames the U.S. embargo.
Far from implementing structural corrections, the Cuban government has responded with a repressive policy that criminalizes those who demand a dignified life.
FMP reported that the administration continues to prioritize ideological and clientelist alliances, seeking to import food and energy under subsidized schemes instead of implementing a true recovery plan.
The statement warned that there is no political will to adjust the current model, which keeps the country stagnant and brings it ever closer to authoritarian structures like those in China or Russia.
In its conclusion, Food Monitor Program argues that this crisis has surpassed the Special Period not only due to its visible effects but also because it simultaneously impacts the food, energy, health, and economic systems, without any clear end in sight.
In addition, he condemned the passivity of a regime that survives by capturing foreign currency, sustained by the sacrifices of Cuban families and their diaspora.
To achieve a real recovery, the observatory stated, a profound transformation will be essential, involving structural reforms, respect for citizen dignity, and a productive reconciliation.
In this regard, he demanded that a dignified standard of living be guaranteed for all Cubans and that the institutional stagnation currently sustaining the systematic destruction of the country be abandoned.
Frequently asked questions about the current crisis in Cuba
Is the current crisis in Cuba worse than the Special Period?
The current crisis in Cuba is considered worse than the Special Period of the 1990s, according to the independent observatory Food Monitor Program (FMP). The current situation surpasses in intensity, depth, and accumulated deterioration, affecting multiple essential systems simultaneously without signs of improvement.
What are the main factors that exacerbate the crisis in Cuba?
Uncontrolled inflation, the scarcity of basic goods, and the collapse of public services are the main factors exacerbating the crisis in Cuba. Between 2021 and 2023, inflation exceeded 500%, while the dollarization of the economy has left most of the population unable to access the formal market.
How does the crisis affect food in Cuba?
The crisis has caused severe food insecurity, forcing thousands of families to reorganize their daily schedules and modify their eating routines. More than 76% of families have seen their ability to cook affected due to power outages, and many have reduced the number of daily meals.
What impact does the crisis have on public services in Cuba?
The electrical and drinking water systems are collapsed. Power outages of up to 16 hours daily are reported in several areas, affecting food preservation and health. More than half a million people lack stable access to running water, which worsens hygiene and the ability to cook food safely.
What is the Cuban government's response to the current crisis?
The Cuban government has chosen a repressive policy instead of implementing the necessary structural reforms to improve the situation. Ideological and clientelist alliances are prioritized over a genuine recovery plan, which keeps the country stagnant and in a state of continuous deterioration.
Filed under:
