The Central azucarero Primero de Enero, located in the municipality of the same name in Ciego de Ávila, is facing a crisis that threatens to render the upcoming sugar harvest completely inactive, in addition to plunging dozens of workers into despair as they currently have no electricity, no salaries, and no certainty about their future employment.
The user of Facebook Obdiel Torres Guevara reported that the central is currently paralyzed due to a power outage caused by an accumulated debt. This affects both the sugar industry and the rest of the agro-industrial complex linked to it.
Ensure that neighbors have provided testimonies about the power service outage at the mill, which forces the suspension of essential repair work necessary for the start of the upcoming season, seriously compromising its viability.
The situation of the workers is alarming. Many have been reassigned to other state entities such as board factories or clearing brigades, while others have been forced to take unpaid leave.
Moreover, some workers from the mill claim that the government owes them full paychecks, in a national context marked by inflation and the constant rise in the cost of living. This leaves them in extreme poverty and unable to support their families.
To this situation is added the silence of local authorities and the central government. No official statements have been issued nor have public explanations been provided to the workers or the population of the municipality, which depends on this industry for its livelihood.
Although there are those within the central government trying to salvage what remains of the system, their efforts are insufficient in the face of a state structure that, rather than providing support, seems to have abandoned an industry to its fate that was once a hallmark of the national economy.
The shortage of sugarcane is another factor that condemns this mill. The lack of agricultural planning, the deterioration of infrastructure, and the priority that the regime has given to tourism over the agro-industrial sector have left sugar production in ruins.
The crisis at the Central Primero de Enero is not an isolated case, but rather another example of the collapse of the economic model in Cuba, where workers are the most affected and the State continues to evade responsibility.
The lack of transparency, the energy debt, unpaid salaries, and the shortage of sugarcane constitute a cocktail that could lead to the definitive disappearance of a vital industry for the region.
Frequently asked questions about the sugar mill crisis in Ciego de Ávila
What is the current situation of the Primero de Enero sugar mill in Ciego de Ávila?
The Primero de Enero sugar mill is facing a crisis that threatens to halt the upcoming harvest season. The mill is paralyzed due to a power service cutoff because of an accumulated debt, affecting both the industry and the workers. Many employees have been relocated or sent on unpaid leave, and the government owes them salaries, increasing their precarious situation.
What impact does the energy crisis have in Ciego de Ávila and how is it related to the sugar mill?
The energy crisis in Ciego de Ávila has been severe, with prolonged blackouts. The solar park inaugurated in the province has not resolved the crisis, leaving the population in darkness. This energy situation directly affects the sugar mill, which relies on a stable electricity supply to operate and carry out necessary repairs for the harvest.
How has the Cuban government responded to the sugar mill crisis?
Until now, the Cuban government has not issued any official response regarding the crisis at the Primero de Enero sugar mill. The silence of local authorities and the central government has left workers and the population without explanations or solutions. This lack of transparency and action exacerbates the situation for those affected.
What factors have contributed to the collapse of the sugar sector in Cuba?
The collapse of the sugar sector in Cuba is due to multiple factors, including the shortage of sugarcane, a lack of agricultural planning, the deterioration of infrastructure, and the regime's priority for tourism over the agro-industrial sector. The energy crisis has hindered the necessary repairs, and the state economic model has failed to sustain sugar production.
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