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A post by the Cuban official spokesman Pedro Jorge Velázquez, known on social media as El Necio, on the social network X, triggered a wave of criticism and angry reactions among Cubans both inside and outside the island after presenting images of alleged popular food fairs organized by farmers.
In the message, Velázquez, a blogger and communicator close to the government who has been defending the Cuban regime on digital platforms and media affiliated with it for years, stated that, due to the state's inability to transport agricultural products, farmers were turning to "alternative routes" to bring food directly to the population through popular fairs.
The post was accompanied by several photographs showing tables filled with fruits, vegetables, and meat, as well as people shopping on the street.
"What's happening right now in Cuba is impressive and is not being reported by the major media: farmers, faced with the state's inability to transport food, are taking it upon themselves through alternative means to bring it to a central point to organize popular markets. Food for the people," he wrote.
However, far from garnering support, the publication triggered a strong reaction from users who questioned the narrative and, above all, the actual prices of those products in the country.
"Put the prices up," demanded a user, reflecting one of the most common criticisms in the comments. Others pointed out that, although the food may be seen in the images, it is inaccessible to the majority of the population due to inflation and low wages.
One internet user claimed that half a kilo of tomatoes costs the equivalent of what a doctor earns in one day's work, while another remarked that a retiree with a minimum pension can barely afford a few pounds of basic food items.
There were also those who accused the author of spreading propaganda and ignoring the daily reality of many Cuban families. "Where are those fairs? The only thing in my fridge is ice," wrote another user in a comment that quickly went viral.
Some Cubans also pointed out that displaying food without mentioning its cost does not reflect the economic crisis the island is going through, marked by scarcity, power outages, insufficient wages, and a significant increase in prices in informal markets.
The controversy generated by the publication reflects the deep discontent among many Cubans regarding the country's food situation and the gap between the narratives of the regime's defenders and the daily experiences of the population.
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