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When her friend found out that their storehouse had been robbed the night before, the first thing she did was put her hands on her head; immediately after, she cried, hit the wall, and blamed herself for not having taken out the last pounds of rice that she was entitled to earlier.
What happened was for her the certainty that she had lost forever the little rice that arrived through the warehouse.
According to a warning from the official newspaper Sierra Maestra in an article titled The Store is Everyone's Business, the Commerce Company lacks the resources to replace the stolen products in these facilities.
In other words: seek out the foods that arrive quickly in rations because, if they are stolen, the regime will not replace them.
This has raised alarms among the population, which faces the constant fear of losing their food if they do not harvest it in time.
In the midst of a deep economic crisis, thefts at warehouses have increased, which is attributed, among other reasons, to the actions of unscrupulous individuals and also to the lack of security in many distribution units.
The message from the official press is clear: families should pick up their supplies as soon as they are available, as they will be safer at home.
The official article itself also suggests that communities organize to care for these spaces, and that the use of the Plan Jaba seal be promoted, which allows workers to authorize others to purchase their products on their behalf.
These "recommendations" reveal an uncomfortable truth: the regime is incapable of ensuring the security of its own facilities and, instead, resorts to "neighborhood support" for guarding the scarce—and increasingly insufficient—food it distributes in a rationed manner.
All of this, moreover, amid a severe energy crisis that exposes the population to the risk of violence.
According to the regime's spokesperson, the responsibility does not solely fall on the workers in commerce. Neighbors, the CDR, political organizations, and individuals who live or pass by nearby must also contribute to protecting the scarce food available to the population.
Because what is inside the warehouse is vital for many families. Losing it, in times like these, can be an everyday tragedy, emphasized the newspaper in a blatant emotional blackmail, yet another old tactic of the regime.
The rising wave of thefts at warehouses in Cuba has highlighted the lack of control and security in the state distribution system.
A few weeks ago, a worker was brutally beaten during a robbery at a store in Havana, an event that sparked outrage due to the violence inflicted on the staff of these establishments.
Days later, two administrators were caught stealing inside the very warehouses they managed, reinforcing the perception of internal decay within the system and the involvement of state personnel in these crimes.
This situation has raised alarm among citizens, who now fear both external thieves and the very individuals responsible for safeguarding the products.
According to recently revealed data, there have been reported more than 160 thefts from state warehouses just in 2025 so far.
This official figure represents a concerning escalation and has been interpreted as a reflection of the collapse of the distribution model amid the deep economic crisis the country is experiencing.
The Minister of Domestic Trade herself publicly acknowledged the seriousness of the phenomenon, attributing it to both a lack of material resources and deficiencies in organization and oversight.
His statement, far from providing concrete solutions, confirmed that the State is not in a position to ensure the protection of the food it distributes in a rationed manner.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shortages and Theft in Cuban Warehouses
Why doesn't the Trading Company in Cuba replace the stolen products from the warehouses?
The Trading Company lacks the resources to replace the stolen products in the warehouses. This is due to the deep economic crisis the country is experiencing, which makes it difficult to ensure a steady supply of basic food items. Furthermore, the lack of security in many distribution units increases the risk of theft, further complicating the situation.
How does the lack of security in warehouses affect the Cuban population?
The lack of security in the warehouses increases the population's fear of losing their food if they do not collect it on time. Due to the economic crisis and the rising number of thefts, rationed products may disappear before people can acquire them, which poses a threat to their already precarious food security.
What measures has the Cuban government proposed to address thefts in the warehouses?
The government has launched campaigns such as "Guardians for My Bodega," which aim to involve the community in the protection of bodegas. These measures include extending sales hours, using WhatsApp groups to notify consumers when products arrive, and surprise nighttime patrols. However, these actions have been criticized for shifting state responsibilities onto the population without addressing the underlying issue.
What is the current situation of rice distribution in Cuba?
The distribution of rice in Cuba is critical due to shortages and delays. Rice is delivered in portions and with prolonged delays, causing uncertainty and dissatisfaction among the population. National production has drastically decreased, and the country relies on imports to meet demand. This situation is reflected in the high prices of rice in the informal market.
How has the economic crisis affected the wineries in Cuba?
The economic crisis has caused a chronic shortage of food in the stores, which reflects the collapse of the distribution system in the country. Cubans face long waits and receive products in insufficient quantities and poor conditions. This situation creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and discontent among the population, which sees its food security compromised.
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