Related videos:
In the midst of a severe economic crisis that is hitting the Cuban population hard, the Base Business Unit (UEB) Alimentos in the municipality of Perico, Matanzas, announced the production of “cake” for young people celebrating their 15th birthday in the month of July.
According to the Provincial Food Company of Matanzas on the social network Facebook, this initiative aims to provide a “delicious dough for family enjoyment.”
The announcement has generated mixed reactions. While some receive it as a symbolic gesture, others criticize what they see as a propaganda strategy disconnected from the harsh reality of the country.
In many Cuban households, the most basic necessities for daily life are lacking: food, medicine, hygiene products, and electricity, making the celebration of a birthday with a cake an inaccessible luxury for most.
Numerous families cannot guarantee a complete meal every day, and the government is trying to present the production of a cake as an achievement in a country where flour, eggs, milk, and sugar, all essential ingredients for its preparation, are in short supply.
The official publication, which even incorrectly uses the word “cake” as “kake,” has caused outrage, as Cubans continue to face daily blackouts, rampant inflation, and salaries that are insufficient to cover even the bare minimum of a basic basket.
And the birthday cake promoted by the regime is not enough to mask the hunger, discontent, and despair that characterize life on the island today.
"Cake, ham, cheese, and syrup" for quinceañeros in warehouses in Cuba
The government of Sancti Spíritus announced on July 15 that in the basic food basket for July, there will be changes and sweet surprises for some fortunate individuals who will be able to enjoy cake.
In the midst of the food crisis affecting Cubans, Escambray interviewed Ariel Fernández Martín, director of the Business Group of Commerce in Sancti Spíritus, who stated that starting this month and on a permanent basis, a food module will be provided to children turning 15.
The module, available for a modest price, includes: "A cake, bread for snacks, cookies, cheese, cream cheese, a bag of soft drinks or syrup, a package of hot dogs, and a tube of ham weighing one kilogram." In other words, the essentials to throw a birthday party for the child.
The official highlighted that in July, the benefit will reach 421 adolescents and that the food program was approved as "a national policy for the care of children and youth."
"All assortments will be monitored through the supply booklet in the retail units of each territory, whether in urban, rural, or Plan Turquino areas," he stated. The control of beneficiaries is carried out by the Commercial Registry Offices based on a census they have.
It was not specified whether this food module will be sold to all quinceañeros in Cuba, nor how long the measure will be in effect.
Frequently asked questions about the economic crisis in Cuba and cake sales in Matanzas
What motivated the government of Matanzas to sell cakes for 15th birthday celebrations?
The Base Business Unit of Food in Perico, Matanzas, announced the production of "cake" as an initiative to provide a "delicious batter to enjoy with family." This measure comes amid a severe economic crisis in Cuba, where celebrating a birthday with cake is a luxury for most families due to the scarcity of basic ingredients.
Why has the decision to sell cake generated criticism in Cuba?
The measure has been criticized as a propaganda strategy by the government, as in Cuba there is a shortage of basic food, medications, and hygiene products. The production of cake is seen as an action disconnected from the real needs of the population, who face daily blackouts, inflation, and low wages.
What does the food module for quinceañeros in Sancti Spíritus include?
The food module for teenagers celebrating their 15th birthday in Sancti Spíritus includes a cake, snack breads, cookies, cheese, cream cheese, a bag of soft drinks or syrup, a pack of hot dogs, and a one-kilogram tube of ham. This module is sold at an affordable price and is part of a policy focused on caring for children and youth.
How is the food crisis affecting bread production in Matanzas?
The production of bread in Matanzas has been severely affected by the lack of flour, leading to the suspension of production in all municipalities, except for the capital territory. This situation reflects the deep supply crisis on the island, where the shortage of basic supplies is a constant issue that deteriorates the quality of life for the population.
Filed under: