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The authorities in Las Tunas announced the start of the distribution of sugar from the regulated family basket for the month of February, with an allocation of one pound per consumer, according to data released by the Business Group of Commerce in the province.
According to the information published by the official outlet Periódico 26, the distribution began in the warehouses of the territory as part of the rationing system that delivers basic products to the population.
Until Tuesday, March 3, the distribution was progressing partially in several municipalities of the province. In Manatí, there were 31 warehouses with the product and 24 pending; in the municipal capital of Las Tunas, 70 warehouses with the sugar and 78 pending; and in Colombia 37 warehouses with the product and seven pending, as the source itself specified.
Among the comments on the official post, several users reacted to the assigned amount and compared it to previous stages of the rationing system. "My God, it used to be 2 pounds and now it's 1," wrote one user. Another internet user summed up their dissatisfaction with the phrase: "One pound, what does that solve?"
Some comments also questioned the actual impact of the one-month quota. “One pound? Haha, for God's sake, aren't you ashamed? That doesn't even last five days,” one user remarked. Another person expressed, “A pound of sugar, is that for a month? Aren't you embarrassed by such misery?”
There were also those who reacted with irony to the fact that the distribution of the product was presented as news. "Can you imagine how bad it is that the delivery of sugar is news?" wrote one commentator, while another stated: "It's laughable, a pound of sugar. Haha, it’s only good for a cup of tea."
The assigned quota represents a reduction compared to previous stages of the rationing system, when the norm for this product reached two pounds per person in certain months.
Sugar has been one of the food items most affected by delays and irregularities in the distribution of the basic food basket across various provinces in the country in recent months, amid the production crisis in the sugar sector and logistical challenges for supply.
The limitations in the delivery of basic food items are also evident with other regulated products. In the Isle of Youth, for example, the sale of one pound of beans per person for 280 Cuban pesos (CUP) through the ration book recently began, a price that remains high for many workers.
In other regions, the distribution has been partial or aimed at specific groups. In Camagüey, local authorities announced the delivery of rice for January and February, with a quota of four kilograms per person, prioritizing pregnant women and vulnerable individuals.
Shortages also generate criticism on social media when distributions of the basic basket are announced that do not always reflect what is available in stores. In the Guantanamo municipality of Imías, for example, users questioned the truthfulness or extent of the advertised offers and reported ongoing difficulties in accessing basic food items.
In Havana, official reports have acknowledged delays in the delivery of several regulated products, including rice, sugar, and other basic food items, which has caused discontent among consumers who report delays and incomplete distributions in various areas of the capital.
The supply booklet remains the primary mechanism for the state distribution of basic food items in Cuba, although in recent years the availability of products and the quantities allocated have steadily declined.
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