A police operation carried out this Tuesday in the vicinity of the Agromercado de Tulipán, in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality, resulted in seizures and arrests of street vendors and cart operators.
The operation is being conducted as part of the IV National Exercise for Prevention and Combatting Crime. The governor of Havana, Yanet Hernández, stated that the action targets those who violate established regulations regarding the sale of food and products in public spaces.
Witnesses reported that the authorities arrived with trucks, demanded that the vendors load their confiscated goods, and tense scenes ensued.
Videos and testimonials circulated on social media questioning the way the operation was conducted.
The user Yuriel Fernández reported on Facebook that the police "picked up people who are fighting for their daily bread by selling produce and cigarettes that the government does not have to sell."
He also denounced that there were "beatings and arbitrary arrests," calling it "disgusting" that small traders are persecuted while serious crimes such as drug trafficking, gender-based violence, and other abuses persist.
Context of greater control
This Monday, Miguel Díaz-Canel at the beginning of the IV National Exercise for Prevention and Combatting Crime, made a call for social discipline and respect for internal order. His message was interpreted as a warning that there would be an increase in repression in the country.
"It is an opportunity for us to ensure citizen tranquility, respect for public order, stability in the country, social discipline, and participation in tasks amidst this situation," said the leader in a social context marked by citizen protests against blackouts, water shortages, and hardships in Cuba.
This operation is part of another offensive launched in August by the government of Havana against private businesses that fail to comply with tax regulations, especially those that evade the Fiscal Bank Account (CBF) or refuse to accept electronic payment transfers.
The National Office of Tax Administration (ONAT) indicated that these practices constitute tax evasion and can result in penalties such as fines, temporary closures, and even criminal consequences.
The official campaign asserts that the mandatory use of the CBF and electronic payments ensures “accounting transparency and money traceability,” which are regarded as essential pillars to support the national economy.
However, critics point out that the measure is an attempt to increase state control over private activity, in a context of inflation, shortages, and high dependence on the informal market.
An economy between legality and survival
While the government insists on "reorganizing the economic landscape," tension is rising between the needs of the population and the restrictions imposed on the non-state sector. For many residents of Havana, street food sales represent one of the few alternatives to access basic products.
The Tulipán operation once again highlights the gap between the official narrative of fighting crime and the public perception that these actions harm those who are struggling to survive amid the crisis, without addressing the structural issues affecting Cuban society.
Frequently Asked Questions about Police Operations and the Economic Situation in Havana
Why was a police operation carried out at the Tulipán Agromarket?
The police operation at the Tulipán Agromarket was conducted as part of the IV National Exercise for Crime Prevention and Confrontation, focusing on street vendors who violate regulations concerning the sale of food and products in public spaces. This action is part of a series of measures by the Cuban government to control the informal market and reinforce legality in the economy. However, these actions have been criticized for impacting small merchants trying to survive amid economic scarcity.
What is the objective of the operations against private businesses in Cuba?
The objective of the operations against private businesses in Cuba is to ensure compliance with tax regulations, particularly the use of the Fiscal Bank Account (CBF) and the acceptance of electronic payments. According to the government, these measures aim to ensure accounting transparency and the traceability of money. However, critics argue that these actions are an attempt to increase state control over private activity in a context of inflation and scarcity, affecting many who rely on the informal market for their livelihoods.
How does state control over the informal market affect the Cuban population?
The state control over the informal market affects the Cuban population by limiting access to basic products, which are often only available through street vendors and small merchants. The repression of these activities intensifies the scarcity and jeopardizes the livelihoods of those who rely on these sales for their daily sustenance. This repressive approach does not address the structural causes of the economic crisis facing the country, such as the inefficiency of the state distribution system and the lack of effective responses from the government.
What criticisms have arisen regarding police operations and economic control in Cuba?
The criticism of police operations and economic control in Cuba focuses on their repressive approach towards the private sector and informal workers. Many citizens view these measures as a diversion from deeper economic issues, such as inflation and shortages, and a way to reinforce state control rather than provide structural solutions. Furthermore, it is noted that while small vendors are pursued, other serious crimes such as drug trafficking and corruption are not effectively addressed.
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