A neighbor from Santa Clara publicly denounced what she described as an "abuse" and a "lack of respect" at the MiniMax Caribe Sandino store, where her mother purchased a box of chicken that was supposedly 40 pounds, but upon arriving home and thawing it out, they discovered it contained a large amount of ice and that at least five pounds of meat were missing.
According to the testimony published in the Facebook group SantaClareando, none of the boxes in the freezers were sealed. After the purchase, valued at 35 dollars, upon thawing the product, it released “a lot of water,” and when separating the pieces, it was found that the actual weight was below what was paid.
The complainant explained that the ice accumulated before the sale inflated the total weight, which in practice meant paying for pounds of water as if they were chicken.
“It’s not the same to have a loss of 1 or 2 pounds compared to 5… it’s truly an abuse, this is hitting from all sides”, she wrote, notably upset, and urged the authorities to look into what is happening in that business.
The report sparked a flood of comments from neighbors who were not surprised by what had happened. Some pointed directly at the employees of the establishment, accusing them of "cheating their own countrymen to their faces," something they say is a common occurrence in many of the stores that sell in dollars.
Others expressed resignation, convinced that "nothing is going to happen" and that complaining to the authorities is useless in a country where "everyone steals without compassion" and "we live in the jungle, from dawn we are being attacked".
There were those who shared similar experiences, such as a customer who claimed to have stopped buying those boxes because “they take out chicken and fill them with water”, preferring those that come with sealed bags inside, which have until now provided the full weight.
Another neighbor recounted that he also bought a 40-pound box without weighing it, and upon checking it, he found that he had fallen victim to the same "outrage."
The MiniMax Caribe Sandino was inaugurated in December 2019 as a new market format of the Tiendas Caribe chain, aiming to provide a "varied assortment," competitive prices, and self-service to "satisfy" customers.
During its opening, local authorities presented it as an establishment offering "disappeared" products at that time, such as coffee, toilet paper, tomato puree, and soft drinks.
However, nearly six years after its opening, the store is making headlines again, not for its promises of good service, but due to reports of practices that directly impact consumers' wallets and trust.
Frequently asked questions about the retail market situation in Cuba
Why is the sale of chicken at MiniMax Caribe Sandino considered an abuse?
The sale of chicken at MiniMax Caribe Sandino is considered exploitation because the chicken boxes were not sealed and contained a significant amount of ice, inflating the total weight and resulting in payment for pounds of water instead of chicken. Upon thawing the product, it was found that at least five pounds of meat were missing, which outraged consumers already facing a difficult economic situation on the island.
What measures can be taken in response to irregularities in shops in Cuba?
Although the CIMEX Corporation has urged customers to report acts of corruption through its official channels, many citizens remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these reports, as they often get resolved within the corporation without public follow-up. Overall, reports on social media have proven to be more effective in bringing visibility to the issues.
How does the dollarization of trade in Cuba affect the population?
The dollarization of trade in Cuba has increased social inequalities, as those without access to foreign currency face greater difficulties in acquiring basic goods and services. Stores that operate exclusively in dollars exacerbate the situation by offering products at prices that are unaffordable for the majority of Cubans, whose salaries are paid in Cuban pesos.
What is the current situation regarding food shortages in Cuba?
The food shortage in Cuba is critical, exacerbated by a lack of resources, inflation, and government policies. Essential products like chicken and eggs are difficult to obtain and are subject to corrupt practices and weight manipulation in sales. The lack of control and corruption in state-owned stores further worsens the situation for consumers.
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