Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel once again blamed the U.S. embargo for the food crisis affecting the island and went so far as to compare the situation in Cuba to that of Gaza during his address at the Global Food Forum (FMA) organized by the FAO.
The text, released this Monday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), was addressed to the Director-General of the FAO, Qu Dongyu, on the occasion of the organization's 80th anniversary.
In his statement, Díaz-Canel asserted that the "unilateral coercive measures," referring to the U.S. embargo, constitute a "genocidal method" aimed at subjugating the Cuban people "through hunger and need," comparing it to what, he said, is happening "against the Palestinians in Gaza."
"The criminal blockade of Cuba, which has lasted for more than six decades and continues to intensify, betting on the surrender of our people through hunger and needs, is being applied as another genocidal method against the Palestinians in Gaza," stated the president.
With that parallel, Díaz-Canel sought to place Cuba on the same level as one of the world's most serious conflicts, evading his government's internal responsibility for the agricultural and food production crisis that the island is experiencing, where basic products such as rice, bread, oil, and milk are in short supply.
The leader devoted a significant portion of his speech to praising the historical relationship between Cuba and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), highlighting the role of the late Fidel Castro and the country's purported commitment to food security and sustainable rural development.
According to him, the FAO has been a "pillar of support" for agricultural development in Cuba and is currently collaborating on 13 projects in 59 municipalities across the country.
Díaz-Canel recalled that the official representation of the FAO in Cuba was established in 1978 and that Fidel Castro attended the inauguration of its headquarters in 1992.
He also cited excerpts from the dictator's speech at the World Food Summit in 1996, where he warned that "the bells that toll today for those who die of hunger will toll tomorrow for all of humanity."
However, reality contrasts with the triumphant tone of the message. Despite years of cooperation with the FAO, Cuban agricultural production is going through one of its worst crises.
The scarcity of fuel, fertilizers, and equipment, combined with state control over agriculture and the lack of incentives for producers, has led to a drastic decline in national production.
The regime itself has acknowledged that Cuba imports more than 80% of the food it consumes, a dependency that worsens with the lack of foreign currency, while the country allocates millions to political, military, and international cooperation projects.
In his message, Díaz-Canel also criticized the "unjust international order," neocolonialism, and neoliberalism, holding them responsible for global inequalities, without mentioning the impact of corruption, inefficiency, and the lack of reforms within his own government.
While the leader talks about "transforming food systems," in the island, Cubans stand in endless lines to get a piece of bread or a liter of powdered milk, products that the state rations and whose scarcity has already become a part of daily life.
The message concluded with thanks to the FAO for its "support" to Cuba in its "struggle for food sovereignty," although the results of that policy are nearly nonexistent.
Far from achieving "better production and better nutrition," as promised by the official rhetoric, the Cuban population faces hunger, inflation, and despair.
The intervention at the FAO, rather than being an accountability report on the country's agricultural failures, served as a new exercise in international propaganda, where the regime once again blamed the embargo and "foreign powers" for the ills caused by its own administration.
In his recent international statement, Miguel Díaz-Canel once again held the "unjust international economic order" responsible for the food challenges facing Cuba, without mentioning the structural failures of his government.
The leader reiterated his usual speech, which blames neocolonialism and the global capitalist system for hunger, while disregarding the internal consequences of his centralized and ineffective model.
Meanwhile, on the island, the data contradicts the official narrative. The food crisis has reached alarming levels, with millions of people relying on ultra-processed products that offer little nutritional value.
According to the Food Monitor Program, a barely acceptable diet for two adults costs nearly 20 minimum monthly wages, an amount that is unaffordable for most.
The lack of micronutrients and fiber has led to a spike in cases of deficiency-related diseases, particularly affecting children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses.
Despite this situation, a survey published by official media stated that 94% of Cubans trust that the Government will resolve the food crisis, a figure that has been widely questioned due to its lack of methodological transparency.
The reality on the streets, where entire families survive on just one meal a day, starkly contrasts with the results of these surveys.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Crisis in Cuba and Díaz-Canel's Speech
Why does Miguel Díaz-Canel blame the embargo for the food crisis in Cuba?
Díaz-Canel asserts that the U.S. embargo is a “genocidal method” aimed at subjugating the Cuban people through hunger and necessity. According to him, these unilateral coercive measures are the main culprits behind the food crisis on the island. However, the context shows that state control, the lack of incentives for producers, and the scarcity of internal resources also play a crucial role in this crisis.
How does Díaz-Canel compare the situation in Cuba to that in Gaza?
In his speech at the FAO, Díaz-Canel compared the situation in Cuba to that of Gaza, stating that the blockade on the island is similar to the actions against the Palestinians. The leader attempted to place Cuba on the same level as one of the most severe conflicts on the planet, thereby evading his government's internal responsibility for the food crisis facing the island.
What is the reality of agricultural production in Cuba according to the provided context?
Agricultural production in Cuba is facing one of its worst crises, with shortages of fuel, fertilizers, and equipment. More than 80% of the food consumed in Cuba is imported, exacerbating the situation due to a lack of foreign currency. Furthermore, state control and administrative inefficiency have resulted in a drastic decline in national production.
What role does the FAO play in Cuban agriculture?
Díaz-Canel emphasized that the FAO has been a pillar of support for the agricultural development of Cuba and is currently collaborating on 13 projects in 59 municipalities across the country. However, the results of this cooperation are virtually nonexistent, as the Cuban population continues to face hunger, inflation, and desperation, reflecting a failure of these policies to improve production and nutrition on the island.
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