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The newspaper Girón, the official media of the province of Matanzas, published a note informing that provincial authorities met to analyze progress in exports and foreign investment, but the publication sparked skeptical and critical comments from Cubans questioning the real usefulness of these announcements for the population.
The meeting was chaired by Governor Marieta Poey Zamora and Aliuska López Reyes, director of Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and International Cooperation of the provincial government.
López Reyes reported that in May, more than 20 planned exportable items were successfully completed, with the participation of nine organizations and 24 entities from Matanzas.
Among the exportable products, chili peppers and charcoal stand out, coming from agro-industrial companies with livestock modules and service contracts.
The rector of the University of Matanzas, Dr. Leyda Finalé de la Cruz, also presented results: "In recent months, we have been able to earn foreign currency from accommodation and dining services, international postgraduate programs, and registration fees for events. Additionally, we have generated revenue from internships, lecture series, and doctoral training for academics from seven countries for future exchanges."
The agreements from the meeting included maintaining constant monitoring of foreign currency income and updating the portfolio of opportunities for foreign investment, with the aim of "turning every potentiality into a real project," according to the official media.
However, the response of Cubans in the comments was striking and contrasted sharply with the official optimism.
"And who is going to invest?" asked a user, capturing the widespread skepticism.
Another commentator recalled the historical paradox of Matanzas: “For years, Matanzas has had exceptional foreign currency revenues from tourism in Varadero, yet it has always been one of the worst provinces. The income wasn't for Matanzas. The expenses were.”
A third person pointed directly to the price crisis: "And where does the public see improvement? Because chicken is now at 560 pesos per pound... listen closely... 560... it just keeps getting worse every day."
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, located in the province, also faced criticism: "The same has happened with the Guiteras; we suffer the consequences of its shutdowns due to breakdowns, but not the benefits of its electrical generation when it is operational," wrote another user.
Another user resorted to irony: "Damn, if there's food in Matanzas, I’ll head over there, without transportation, but I’ll go on foot."
The note from the newspaper Girón also received direct criticism as a medium: "The triumphalism continues. It cannot be that this year the newspaper Girón is awarded the prize for being the most misleading and inflated media outlet in Cuba."
Popular skepticism is supported by data: the Cuban regime has been attempting to attract foreign investment for years with limited results, and CEPAL projected a GDP decline of 1.5% in 2025 and virtually stagnation in 2026, in a context where the average state salary does not reach 15 dollars per month at the informal exchange rate.
A commentator summed it up with a phrase that circulated widely: "Imperialism marches forward defeated while we retreat victorious."
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