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The secretary of the Communist Party in Matanzas, Mario Sabines Lorenzo, surprised everyone this Sunday with an unusual self-critique regarding the agricultural fairs in the province, openly acknowledging that “we are not satisfied” with their development, despite being promoted as one of the main food distribution channels in Cuba.
In a post on Facebook, the leader acknowledged irregularities that are part of the daily life of Cubans, such as violations of approved prices, failure to meet production plans, hoarding by resellers, and minimal impact of digital sales. He also pointed out that "not all productive forms are present" and that the expected tons of root vegetables are not being reached.
Although he assured that "work is being done to confront and eliminate those distortions," Sabines did not provide concrete solutions or timelines to resolve the problems he himself described.
However, every Sunday the people of Matanzas face their own reality at the Plaza del Tenis market, for example. There, a carton of eggs can reach 3,000 pesos, while pork is sold at 750 pesos per pound, prices that are prohibitive for most families, who are affected by inflation and stagnant wages.
The fairs, officially presented as an alternative to ease shortages, have become venues where chaos reigns. Testimonials describe the experience as “a trip to the Wild West”, with inspectors improvising price caps and consumers reporting scams.
The harshest face of the crisis
Beyond the high prices, the fairs have also revealed the most heartbreaking side of the Cuban crisis. In early August, a whole family was seen sleeping under a platform at the fair in Matanzas, feeding on the leftovers left by the produce trucks.
The scene, shared on social media, exposed the misery and official neglect in a country where, according to the Government itself, more than 300,000 people live in vulnerable conditions.
Sabines' words reflect an unusual shift in official rhetoric, where criticisms often target external factors or the U.S. embargo. However, the lack of concrete proposals keeps a gap between political discourse and the everyday lives of Cubans.
While the Party admits to irregularities, prices continue to soar and poverty becomes increasingly visible in the agricultural fairs of Matanzas and throughout the country, where consumers struggle to survive in a market touted as a "victory," but which many perceive as a confirmation of their daily defeat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Agricultural Fairs and the Food Crisis in Cuba
What irregularities has the Party secretary in Matanzas acknowledged regarding the agricultural fairs?
The secretary of the Communist Party in Matanzas, Mario Sabines Lorenzo, acknowledged irregularities such as the violation of approved prices, failure to meet production plans, hoarding by resellers, and minimal impact of digital sales. Although he recognized these issues, he did not provide concrete solutions or timelines for their resolution, reflecting a disconnect between political discourse and the reality faced by Cubans.
How does the economic crisis affect agricultural fairs in Matanzas?
The economic crisis has turned agricultural fairs into scenes of chaos, with elevated prices that are prohibitive for most Cuban families. For example, a carton of eggs can cost up to 3,000 pesos and pork meat 750 pesos per pound. These prices reflect the inflation and wage stagnation that are impacting the population.
What image reflects the experience of a family sleeping under a platform in Matanzas?
The image of a family sleeping under a platform and feeding on leftovers at an agricultural fair in Matanzas reflects the misery and official neglect in Cuba. This scene contradicts any narrative of social protection and reveals the grave situation of vulnerability in which more than 300,000 people in the country live, according to data from the government itself.
What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the food crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to implement food fairs as a stopgap solution, but these do not address the structural problems of the food crisis. The regime has acknowledged that what is most likely to be available in each territory is what can be produced locally, which reflects a failure of the centralized agricultural model and an inability to ensure access to basic foods.
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