A report shared on social media this Father's Day has sparked outrage after highlighting the inadequate food provided to inmates in the maximum-security prison La Pendiente, in Villa Clara, while official figures such as Randy Alonso purchase bread from exclusive bakeries in Havana.
"In the first photo, there are two loaves of bread. These are not just any small loaves. They are so poorly made that people who are literally dying of hunger cannot eat them. That's why I have that photo. Several inmates from the maximum security prison La Pendiente in Villa Clara have requested their families to take the bread out, take a photo, and send it to me so I can denounce that they are being starved to death," stated the collective "Las Taniadas" on Facebook.
The criticism also includes other irregularities in the food provided to the prisoners, such as fish in a state of decomposition and semi-raw vegetables served with their skins.
"The goal is not only to torture the inmates but also to accumulate enough food scraps to feed the pigs that these beasts (the prison guards) raise for their own benefit," the text adds.
The report also recalls that in this same prison, where the bread is inedible, the elderly Zoila Esther Chávez Pérez was prevented from seeing her son one last time before she passed away.
In contrast, the post directly targets the host of the state-sponsored program Mesa Redonda, Randy Alonso Falcón, who was photographed buying bread at the Aceña bakery, located in the Playa municipality. This establishment operates 24 hours a day and has been criticized for having prices that are “unreachable for 99% of the Cuban population.”
On their website, they indicate that they sell wholesale with a minimum total of 100 units. Retail prices range from 35 pesos for a hamburger bun to 280 CUP for a country-style bread.
"This chain belongs to the Crab or to Mariela Castro," claims the group, although they acknowledge that they cannot verify this information. However, they question whether it is possible to establish and sustain businesses like this in the current economic crisis without being linked to those in power.
While bakeries like Aceña offer gourmet products, the regular bread, the only one that most of the population has access to, has decreased in size, increased in price, has a bad smell, and is often made with poor-quality flour.
The "rationed bread" sometimes doesn't even reach Cuban households, as the regime claims it lacks the resources to purchase flour and sell the product to the population.
In a country where salaries are insufficient to live on, and many people suffer from hunger in prisons for holding political views contrary to the government, the presence of the official spokesperson in the private bakery has sparked outrage.
"Now this is how you can talk crap on Mesa Redonda and Cubadebate! Isn't that right, Randy Alonso Falcón?", the authors of the text question, Zaida Artiaga, Anamely Ramos González, Jenni M Taboada, Tata Poet, and Tania Tasé.
The images and statements have gone viral on social media as a symbol of the deep inequalities that permeate Cuba under the communist regime.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Food Crisis in Cuba and the Contrast in Access to Bread
What is the current situation of bread in Cuban prisons?
Prisoners in maximum-security facilities in Cuba receive poor-quality bread that is inedible even for those who are starving. Furthermore, other issues regarding food have been reported, such as spoiled fish and semi-raw root vegetables, which highlight a serious food crisis in the prisons.
How does access to bread contrast between the general population and official figures in Cuba?
While the majority of the Cuban population faces extreme difficulties in accessing basic bread, official figures, such as Randy Alonso, are seen purchasing gourmet bread in exclusive bakeries in Havana. This contrast generates outrage, as the rationed bread has decreased in quality and quantity, affecting the most vulnerable populations.
Why is the bread crisis in Cuba so serious?
The bread crisis in Cuba is serious due to the shortage of wheat flour, which affects its production and distribution across the country. The situation is critical in several provinces, where bread is sold on alternate days or only to specific groups, such as children, reflecting a nationwide supply crisis.
What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the bread shortage?
The Cuban government has implemented measures such as reducing the weight of regulated bread and distributing it on alternate days to address the shortage. However, these measures have not resolved the issue, and the population continues to face difficulties in accessing this basic food.
How does the bread crisis affect the daily life of Cubans?
The bread crisis severely impacts the daily lives of Cubans, especially low-income families, the elderly, and children. The shortage and poor quality of regulated bread worsen the food situation, as many families rely on this product for their daily nutrition.
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