SAN LUIS POTOSÍ, Mexico.- Although at the beginning of this month of September the Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN) denied rumors about restrictions on the delivery of the basic standard basketthe absence of most products leaves Cubans with doubts about the continuity of the “libreta.”
The replicated stories indicated that nor there would be more chickenthat cleaning would be quarterly, just like coffee, oil and peas. In addition, he pointed out that the measures were taken in accordance with the availability of these products in the MSMEs.
According to the information, classified as false, Betsy Díaz Velázquez, Minister of Domestic Trade, would apply “new measures” with a view to “correcting distortions in the Cuban economy.”
Two weeks later, many Cubans have not received the rationed products. “Hunger, misery and terror,” some bought in the stores, according to comments on a post by CubaNet who asked about the foods that would be available in the establishments.
The “errands” are absent, but so is the salary that allows citizens to get food in other places.
“With much respect and without offending anyone, whoever thinks of living off of the errands “The wine cellar is going to die of hunger,” said one Internet user, pessimistically.
People have been able to buy neither chicken nor milk, perhaps sugar and rice, in a few points of sale.
“Ah, yes, ham with a tremendous stench, very bad for the dogs, they are very happy,” wrote another user.
Few are optimistic, as delays and lack of products in previous months raise doubts as to whether they will appear soon.
“Nothing has arrived at my warehouse and I hope it doesn’t either. Because here in our country they have forgotten that there are people who are starving and that we live only on the basic basket. Not everything can be imported,” someone said.
A resident of Güines said that two pounds of sugar, three pounds of rice and 10 ounces of beans arrived just two days ago, but another resident of the same town responded that only one bottle of liquid detergent had arrived at his warehouse “that must have been from some month or year, broken, they took out half of the detergent and poured water on it.” “That is the only thing that has arrived in Güines to my warehouse.”
The official media have reported on other occasions that the causes of the notables arrears of the products were “financial restrictions and operational problems”, but they have not explained why food continues to be imported from other countries or whether “restrictions” also apply to these operations.
“In Sagua la Grande they again took away the liter of milk that they gave once a week, they took away the fuel from the ‘bedridden’ and the grocery store only got the package of spaghetti that they gave away for free and nothing else,” said another Cuban.
Less products, less bread…
Another piece of news related to the food rationed by the regime reached Cubans: since September 12, the weight of daily bread distributed per person as part of the basic basket in Cuba has been reduced to 60 grams, 20 grams less than usual.
This measure, announced by the Ministry of the Food Industry (Minal), has been presented as a “solution” to address the shortage of flour affecting the country.
The official newspaper Granma He reported: “Starting today, the bread in the standard family basket will have a variation in its weight and price, in order to maintain its production in the face of the unavailability of flour in the country.”
Despite statements promising that the reduction in weight will not affect quality, Cubans perceive this measure as another attempt by the regime to disguise its inability to resolve the deep economic crisis that the country is going through. The shortage of flour, logistical difficulties and constant improvisation are symptoms of a system that fails to offer effective solutions and that worsens the situation of a population already exhausted by the lack of food, medicine and basic resources.
Traditionally one of the few minimum food guarantees, The bread is not only small, but of a quality that leaves much to be desired. The rubbery texture, the sour taste and the frequency with which it is found undercooked have been recurring complaints in Cuban homes.
Meanwhile, regime officials celebrate gourmet cooking festivals and events which are perceived by Cubans as an insult, since the majority of the population has to juggle to put a plate of food on the table.
