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Two Cubans transporting over 1,000 pounds of coffee in a rented tourist vehicle were arrested by the police.
The incident occurred in the Urbano Noris municipality, Holguin province.
"The old trick of the rented TUR to move illegal activities, until the police tell you to stop. Where were they going that they no longer go?" published the profile of Facebook Cazador-Cazado, linked to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).
The post includes photos of the arrested.
"In the end, they were the ones who got roasted. No coffee is worth that. Caught," the post concluded with an ironic tone.
However, what was intended to be an exemplary publication to demonstrate the actions of the police triggered a wave of public outrage on social media.
"Why coffee?"
Dozens of Cubans reacted by criticizing the persecution of those who engage in coffee reselling -one of the scarcest products in the country-, instead of tackling more serious crimes.
"Good work if they finally eliminated drugs once and for all. Those that are causing so much harm... But, coffee? That was helping with the breakfast of a few families..." wrote a user from Holguín.
Other comments were even more direct in their questioning of the economic system:
"The Cuban cannot live without drinking coffee, and the State sells it in MLC. A packet costs the entire pension of a retiree who worked their whole life," noted an internet user.
"They didn't kill, they didn't steal, they didn't violate. They only brought coffee, the kind that many mothers use to send their children to school because there's no milk. Don't mess with that!" commented a Cuban émigré.
The origin of coffee trafficking: poorly paid peasants
Several comments agreed on a key point: the injustice faced by the farmers who grow coffee but cannot sell it freely.
"The opportunistic government wants to pay them a ridiculous price. That's why they're selling them to private individuals," denounced a resident of Holguín.
"If they allowed the farmer to sell his coffee directly to the people, that wouldn't happen. But they want everything for the hotels and the stores in MLC," added a family man.
Resellers as lifelines
For many, the so-called resellers—criminalized by official discourse—are actually the ones who enable Cubans to obtain food and essential products amid widespread shortages.
"Thanks to those who resell, we live day by day. We can't even count on bread. It's pitiful," declared another user.
Context: Illegal or Inevitable?
Amid a prolonged economic crisis, the shortages in state-run stores and the sale in MLC have given rise to an informal market that, although penalized by law, is for many the only means of survival.
The case of the 1,000 pounds of seized coffee not only highlights the limits of state control but also the widening gap between official policies and the actual needs of the population.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Seizure of Coffee in Cuba and the Informal Market
Why were the two Cubans arrested in Holguín for transporting coffee?
The two Cubans were arrested for transporting over 1,000 pounds of coffee in a rented passenger vehicle without the necessary legal documentation, which is considered an attempt to hoard and speculate in the informal market. This type of activity is penalized in Cuba due to strict marketing regulations.
How does the coffee shortage affect the Cuban population?
The coffee shortage in Cuba profoundly affects the population, as it is an essential product in the daily and cultural diet of Cubans. The lack of availability in state-run stores has led many to turn to the informal market, where coffee is sold at very high prices, making access to the product limited for most people.
What do citizens think about the crackdown on the informal coffee market?
Many citizens criticize the authorities for cracking down on coffee resellers when these activities are seen as a temporary solution to the issue of shortages in the country. They argue that instead of focusing on these minor offenses, the government should tackle the root of the problem: the lack of access to basic products due to poor economic management.
What is the origin of illegal coffee trafficking in Cuba?
Illegal coffee trafficking in Cuba originates from the low prices the government pays to farmers for their production, which leads them to sell their coffee in the informal market to earn higher incomes. The absence of a free market for producers also contributes to this phenomenon.
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