In an attempt to dress up the reality of the economic, food, and social crisis the country is experiencing, the Cuban regime staged an outdoor television spectacle this Tuesday: the Mesa Redonda was broadcast from a banana plantation of the Agropecuaria La Cuba Company, in Ciego de Ávila, under the slogan “Yes we can!”.
The idyllic and carefully arranged setting starkly contrasted with the harsh conditions faced by most of the Cuban population, who have limited access to products like bananas due to inflation and low wages.
En el programa participaron directivos de la empresa agrícola, el presidente de la CPA Paquito González y el mayor productor individual de plátanos del país.
For over an hour, officials praised the "transformations" and "results" of the productive hub in Avila, while the country is experiencing one of the worst crises of basic food supply in decades.
The broadcast was aired by Cubavisión, Canal Caribe, Radio Rebelde, and various digital platforms, reinforcing a narrative of rural success. For many, the choice of the banana plantation as a location was not incidental, but rather a carefully crafted backdrop designed to project an image of productivity and commitment to the people.
The Round Table has been a mechanism for the regime to defend itself against its own inefficiency for decades.
For example, recently the collective Las Taniadas reported the inhuman conditions in the maximum-security prison La Pendiente, in Villa Clara, where political prisoners receive loaves of bread so poorly made that they cannot even be consumed, along with decomposing fish and semi-raw root vegetables.
In contrast, the host of the Round Table, Randy Alonso Falcón, was photographed buying bread at the Aceña bakery, an exclusive private chain in Havana with prices reaching up to 280 pesos for a single piece of bread.
Frequently Asked Questions about the broadcast of the Mesa Redonda from a banana plantation in Cuba
Why was the Round Table broadcasted from a banana plantation in Cuba?
The broadcast of the Round Table from a banana plantation was an attempt by the Cuban regime to mask the economic and social crisis the country is experiencing. The rural setting was carefully arranged to present an image of productivity and commitment to the people, despite the harsh conditions faced by the majority of the population, such as food shortages and high inflation.
What contrasts are evident in the broadcast of the Mesa Redonda?
During the program, officials praised the "transformations" of the productive area in Avileño, while the country faces one of the worst crises in basic food supply in decades. Furthermore, the contrast is evident in the living conditions of the population, who have limited access to basic products such as bananas due to inflation and low wages.
What complaints have been made regarding food in Cuban prisons?
The collective Las Taniadas has reported the inhumane conditions in the maximum-security prison La Pendiente, in Villa Clara, where the inmates receive bread that is so poorly made that it cannot be eaten, along with decomposing fish and semi-raw root vegetables. This report highlights the precarious food situation faced by the inmates in stark contrast to the quality of life of official figures.
How does the shortage of flour affect the Cuban population?
The shortage of flour has led to restrictions on the distribution of regulated bread, which is delivered on alternate days in several provinces of Cuba. This situation has heightened the discontent among the population, who are facing a combination of rising prices, rationing, and a decline in the quality of bread, intensifying the food crisis in the country.
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