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What began as a routine audit at a poultry farm in Guantánamo has turned into a controversial legal process that today has five workers sanctioned, including Yanet Martínez Latamblet, while the entity's executives remain off the hook.
The woman was sentenced for the disappearance of more than 7,000 chickens, a crime she denies and for which she points directly to the management of the state-owned company, as reported by the website 14ymedio in an extensive article on the topic.
"I want to report the violation and harassment I am experiencing from the highest management of my company," stated Martínez Latamblet.
On September 25, the Municipal Court of Guantánamo sentenced her to one year of house arrest for "failure to preserve state property." She claims that she had neither the time nor the resources to prepare her defense and has announced that she will appeal the decision, while insisting that the true culprits have never faced justice.
A questioned legal process
Martínez Latamblet worked at the Lajita 1 farm as a breeder between 2017 and 2024. On September 7, she received a summons for a trial for "dereliction of duty," but she claims that it was only in the courtroom that she learned of the accusation regarding the massive shortage of birds.
"We found out everything right there; we had no kind of preparation. Everything we had heard up until that moment was that the leadership was responsible," he explained to the media outlet.
The audit conducted in September 2023 revealed the disappearance of over 7,000 chickens, valued at more than 100,000 pesos. Upon discovering the shortfall, the workers were called to a meeting where they were required to cover the lost amount with their own money.
"They asked us to put up the money," recalled Martínez Latamblet, who explained that the amount was "unpayable," even if divided among everyone. In response to the refusal, the embezzlement was uncovered and the legal process began.
A farm in prolonged crisis
Lajita 1 farm, located at kilometer 1 on the road to Santiago de Cuba, was inactive for over 15 years and resumed operations in 2016 with the aim of strengthening local poultry production. However, the lack of feed, fuel, and internal controls has severely compromised its operation.
In this context of precariousness, the responsibilities for shortages usually fall on the employees, while irregularities at the management levels go without legal consequences, as reported by the workers themselves.
The appeal of Yanet Martínez could become a revealing case about the dynamics of impunity and accountability in Cuban state-run companies, where the lack of transparency and structural decay ultimately criminalize the weakest links in the production chain.
Frequently asked questions about the case of bird loss in Guantánamo
What is the reason for the sanction against Yanet Martínez Latamblet in Guantánamo?
Yanet Martínez Latamblet was sanctioned for the disappearance of more than 7,000 chickens at a poultry farm in Guantánamo. However, she denies having committed the crime and points to the executives of the state-owned company as the true culprits behind the shortage.
What problems is the Lajita 1 poultry farm in Guantánamo facing?
The Lajita 1 poultry farm is facing issues with a shortage of feed, fuel, and internal controls, which has severely impaired its operations. This situation has resulted in employees being held accountable for the losses, while irregularities at the management level go unpunished.
Why does Yanet Martínez Latamblet appeal the court decision against her?
Yanet Martínez Latamblet is appealing the court decision because she claims she did not have time or resources to prepare her defense and argues that the true culprits behind the disappearance of the birds have not faced justice. She believes that her case can reveal the dynamics of impunity and accountability within Cuban state-owned enterprises.
How is the food crisis in Cuba reflected in the case of the Guantánamo farm?
The food crisis in Cuba is reflected in the case of the Guantánamo farm through the scarcity of resources such as feed and fuel, which are essential for poultry production. This situation, combined with the lack of internal controls, exacerbates the precarious conditions in state farms and contributes to the unfair imposition of responsibilities for shortages on the workers.
What implications does the case of Yanet Martínez have for state-owned enterprises in Cuba?
The case of Yanet Martínez could have significant implications for state-owned enterprises in Cuba, as her appeal could reveal the dynamics of impunity and lack of transparency that characterize these entities. This highlights the need to reform the system to ensure that responsibilities are properly assigned and that those truly responsible face the appropriate legal consequences.
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