The Minister of Domestic Trade of Cuba, Betsy Díaz Velázquez, publicly admitted the decline in the quality of services provided on the island and acknowledged that today "consumers are treated worse."
His words of government self-criticism reveal the lack of structural solutions after more than six decades of failures in the socialist management of commerce.
“We do not have a supply deficit problem; rather, today consumers are being mistreated more because there is a decline in service quality,” said the official on National Television.
His statements were made during the presentation of a program to "enhance business management" in various sectors of commerce, gastronomy, and services.
Díaz Velázquez held workers in the sector responsible, stating that “some people think it is the consumer's obligation to arrive at the place and accept what is offered,” as if the issue were merely attitude and not a failing system, with a poor price-quality ratio and a massive demand to meet for all types of products and services.
Among the programs that show the least progress, as acknowledged, are popular gastronomy and the family care system, two essential areas that continue to decline, despite decades of reforms, assessments, reorganizations, and promises that never come to fruition.
Once again, Cuban authorities insist on "
The eternal learning of leaders
It is not the first time that Betsy Díaz Velázquez has stirred controversy with her statements. During a visit in March to the province of Guantánamo, she suggested "revitalizing" commerce in state-run nightclubs and restaurants, with ideas that drew more ridicule than solutions.
Among his "strategies," he highlighted the use of "music from the past" in commercial units, with offers aimed at older adults. He also suggested that students be provided with "a beverage and a snack" as a marketing lure, although a significant portion of that demographic lacks transportation and funds to "enjoy" these offerings.
His most memorable phrase was one that bordered on the grotesque: “We play the right music and the first time they come skeptically, they come back, and then we say: Hey, but it's not 200 pesos, buddy, give me a thousand, because it gets good.”
For thousands of Cubans, whose daily concerns include finding food, medications, or how to get to work, the minister's phrase felt like an insult.
Deterioration of commerce and increase in violence in Cuba
In July, the minister also acknowledged the
Far from acknowledging the exhaustion of the socialist economic model, the minister once again emphasized "comprehensive community work," a slogan that neither addresses hunger nor curbs desperation.
The government insists on academic programs and diploma courses to improve the management of state-owned enterprises, but Cubans face a daily reality marked by mistreatment, shortages, and a lack of alternatives.
At this point, it is hard to believe that the problem is just one of training or leadership. After more than half a century, the system continues to produce more excuses than results.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deterioration of Services in Cuba and Trade Management
What has the Minister of Domestic Trade of Cuba acknowledged about the state of services?
Minister Betsy Díaz Velázquez admitted the decline in the quality of services in Cuba and acknowledged that consumers are currently being treated worse. This self-criticism reflects the lack of structural solutions after decades of socialist management without effective results.
What specific problems do popular gastronomy and the family care system face in Cuba?
The minister emphasized that, despite the reforms and promises, popular cuisine and the family care system are in decline. The lack of improvements in these essential areas continues to impact the population, which suffers from outrageous prices and a limited supply.
What measures does the minister propose to improve commerce management in Cuba?
The minister proposes training executives to improve business management. However, these training programs have been unsuccessfully proposed for decades, and the population continues to face a reality of mistreatment and shortages.
How has the Cuban population reacted to the statements made by the Minister of Commerce?
The minister's statements have been met with skepticism and dissatisfaction. The population senses a disconnection between the authorities and the economic reality experienced on the island, where daily concerns include the search for food and medication.
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