The Cuban government once again showcased its triumphalist rhetoric on international stages by boasting about the Food Sovereignty Law passed in 2022 at the II UN Summit on Food Systems (UNFSS+4) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, despite the island experiencing one of the worst food crises in decades.
During his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca stated that the regulations "facilitate the joint actions of all institutions" and reiterated that Cuba is "willing to contribute to placing food systems at the center of economic and social development agendas to combat hunger, poverty, and inequality." Tapia defended South-South cooperation, agroecology, and technological innovation as pillars of the Cuban model, while blaming the U.S. embargo and "unilateral coercive measures" for the agricultural collapse, asserting that these restrictions prevent access to fertilizers, machinery, and basic supplies.
A speech that contrasts with the internal crisis
The statements come in a context marked by scarcity and inflation. In April of this year, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz publicly admitted that “the most certain thing we will have in each territory is what we are capable of producing,” in a confession that confirms the failure of the centralized model. Official data supports this perception: in 2023, pork production fell by more than 90%, rice decreased by almost 60%, and the production of eggs and milk experienced drops close to 40%. More than 80% of the food consumed in the country is imported, in a context where the majority of Cubans are losing purchasing power due to rising prices.
The Cuba Statistical Yearbook 2023 confirmed an unprecedented collapse in the production of essential foods such as pork, rice, eggs, milk, and root vegetables, underscoring the severity of the food crisis on the island.
Outrage and sarcasm on social media
The publication of the speech by the official newspaper Granma on Facebook ignited a wave of outrage among internet users, who questioned the contrast between the government's words and the reality in the streets. Many described the pronouncement as "cynical" and "offensive," asserting that talking about food sovereignty from an international platform "is a mockery for those who go to bed hungry today." Others pointed out that in Cuba there is neither food security nor self-sufficiency, that farmers lack fuel and tools, and that basic products depend almost entirely on imports. Some comments were more sarcastic: "Cuba can contribute a lot at the Summit… as an example of everything that shouldn't be done" and "Which food system are they going to showcase, that of the leaders or that of the people?" Several users insisted that while discussions about agroecological strategies and system transformation take place, people continue to stand in endless lines to get rice, sugar, or a package of chicken when they become available.
Criticism from international organizations
The Food Monitor Program reported on social media that the Cuban government has historically "instrumentalized the discourse of food sovereignty to disguise the reality of a country that has lost more than 67% of its national production and depends on imports for over 80%." According to the organization, food on the island is increasingly dollarized and controlled by military conglomerates like GAESA, which monopolize food imports and distribution, turning access to food into a privilege for those who receive remittances. The NGO warned that these policies not only exacerbate poverty but also reinforce a food system captured by corporate-military interests, while criminalizing survival strategies such as the informal sale of food.
A law that has not addressed hunger
The Law on Food Sovereignty and Food and Nutritional Security, approved in 2022 with the aim of ensuring access to “sufficient, diverse, and nutritious” food, reducing dependency on imports, and organizing sustainable local systems, has not been able to reverse the crisis. Three years later, the regulation is perceived as ineffective: the promises of national production clash with the lack of inputs, the centralization of decisions, and the absence of real incentives for producers. Meanwhile, official rhetoric is echoed in international forums, detached from a reality where scarcity, inflation, and hunger define the daily lives of millions of Cubans.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Crisis in Cuba and the Food Sovereignty Law
What is the Food Sovereignty Law of Cuba?
The Food Sovereignty and Food and Nutritional Security Law was approved in 2022 with the aim of ensuring access to sufficient, diverse, and nutritious food, reducing dependence on imports, and organizing sustainable local systems. However, the law has not managed to reverse the food crisis in Cuba, and national production remains insufficient due to a lack of inputs and ineffective centralized decision-making.
How has the food crisis affected the Cuban population?
The food crisis in Cuba has led to one in four Cubans going to bed without dinner, according to an independent report from the Food Monitor Program. The population faces shortages, inflation, and a decline in purchasing power, making it difficult to access adequate nutrition. Most Cubans rely on imports to obtain basic goods, while the government fails to implement effective measures to improve the situation.
What has the Cuban government said about the food crisis in international forums?
At the II UN Summit on Food Systems, the Cuban government boasted about its Food Sovereignty Law, stating that the country is willing to contribute to the development of sustainable food systems. However, this rhetoric contrasts sharply with the reality of a severe internal crisis, where national food production has drastically declined, and most basic goods must be imported.
What are the criticisms of the Cuban government's management regarding food?
The Cuban government has been criticized for its ineffective management and its reliance on narratives that blame external factors, such as the U.S. embargo, for the food crisis. Despite admissions of mistakes in food policy, the measures implemented have not improved the situation, and it has been pointed out that access to food on the island is increasingly dollarized and controlled by military conglomerates, which exacerbates inequality.
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