The Cuban private company Havana Agro SURL has issued a strong public denunciation against the Agricultural Engineering Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAG), accusing it of imposing obstacles "repeatedly and intentionally", which are affecting its operations and limiting producers' access to modern equipment in the country.

In a statement released on social media, the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise asserted that the situation has reached a critical point.

"Given the impossibility of maintaining a coherent working system and constructive dialogue with the management of the Institute [...], we have made the following decision," they stated.

Next, the company announced that it will temporarily reduce its activities to "importing, assembling, and marketing […] only the agricultural equipment that is already validated in the country or in process."

It is stated that this measure will be in effect “until the necessary conditions for an 'adequate, transparent, and productive' work environment are created again.”

"They interpret the rules to suit their convenience."

The core of the complaint points directly to the institutional functioning.

Habana Agro accuses the state entity of acting with discretion: “It continues to create obstacles […] interpreting the current legal norms to its convenience and individual interpretation.”

According to the company, this dynamic has blocked the validation processes for new equipment, which directly impacts the agricultural sector.

“It is hindered that our Cuban agricultural producers access first-line equipment without difficulties, at affordable prices in national currency”, they warn.

The statement emphasizes that these equipment could even be purchased with “payment facilities through banking institutions,” which they consider crucial “in a context of high and increasing dollarization.”

The small and medium-sized enterprise insists that it has tried to maintain a cooperative relationship.

"Our company has always shown a constructive approach," they assured.

They also detailed that they made "the most diverse proposals for joint work [...] for economic benefit" that faced "constant rejection, lack of interest, and systematic neglect."

"They affect the National Economy."

The tone of the message becomes more severe when assessing the consequences of these obstacles.

"We are faced with a clear example of public officials whose attitude [...] radically affects the National Economy, the Cuban Productive Systems, and the rural population," the text denounces.

The company emphasizes that the problem is not isolated, but rather impacts at a time of crisis: “Especially in the context of a serious and persistent multifactorial crisis in the country.”

Despite the conflict, Habana Agro assured that it will maintain its commitment to cooperation: "We will continue to promote the establishment of constructive partnerships [...] with or —as this unfortunate example clearly shows— without the support of the governing institutions."

He also reaffirmed his vision on the role of the private sector: “The Cuban private sector, by its own right, constitutes an economic actor with its rightful place.”

Crossfire of comments: Tension and reproaches

The post sparked an intense debate on social media, where conflicting opinions were not lacking.

A user noted that both parties share responsibility and pointed to a structural problem: “Our system is not designed to recognize that a private sector can take over functions of the state."

The company responded harshly: "To make a coherent judgment, the first thing is to be well informed," adding that one should not "assume the role of an arbitrator when you have no idea about the issues."

In its response, Habana Agro was even more explicit about the reasons for its decision: “Fundamentally motivated by disinterest, poor performance, and a rigid bureaucracy that prevents processes from functioning effectively.”

Another internet user stated that the relationship between the two sectors is unfeasible: “Mixing state entities […] with private companies is like trying to mix water and oil.”

The company responded by pointing out a fundamental issue: "The subjective conditions that would facilitate that working relationship are not in place."

In that exchange, he delivered one of his harshest criticisms: “Many public officials […] see the private sector as enemies, villains, or an inferior class.”

There were also calls for an institutional response. "It is now time for... a response from the Ministry of Agriculture," commented another analyst.

The company clarified: “This is not a complaint, it is the announcement of a new commercial strategy,” although it insisted: “Let them deny us, because there are no grounds for that.”

In response to questions about the chosen approach, the small and medium-sized enterprise defended its decision: “The purpose of the publication is commercial information […] The official channel is already being used to highlight the obstacles.”

A conflict amid the agricultural crisis

The case of Habana Agro occurs in a context where authorities have approved regulations to encourage cooperation between the state and private sectors, but where practical implementation continues to face obstacles.

The company, dedicated to the importation, assembly, and marketing of agricultural machinery and food processing equipment, has argued in other publications the need to promote production "without obstacles, without bureaucracy, with institutional support."

The complaint occurs at a time of deep contradiction: the regime has just enacted the Decree-Law 114 that allows associations between state and private entities, and last December approved Decree 143, which eliminates the Acopio monopoly and authorizes small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in agricultural marketing.

The case illustrates that, despite these measures, the grassroots state institutions continue to operate with blocking and control dynamics towards the private sector, which represents a third of employment in Cuba and dominates 55% of retail trade, yet remains excluded from strategic sectors.

The backdrop is an unprecedented food crisis: rice production has fallen 81%, yuca by 44%, eggs by 61%, and pork by 93.2%.

Cuba imports between 70% and 80% of its food, with an annual expenditure of approximately 2 billion dollars.