MIAMI, United States. — The Cuban Government will gradually eliminate subsidies for the basic basket that is distributed through the supply bookaccording to reported this Wednesday the Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, before the National Assembly of People’s Power.
The measure, which, according to the regime, aims to redirect subsidies towards people with greater needs, occurs in the midst of the acute economic crisis that is plaguing the country.
During his speech, Marrero indicated that work is already underway on the withdrawal of subsidies for essential products and warned that this process “cannot be reversed.” The prime minister clarified that the implementation will be progressive and product by product, recognizing, however, the possible social tensions: “An analysis that we concluded is to completely eliminate the subsidy of the basic basket, but the issue is complicated because not only would there be than subsidizing people in vulnerable conditions. For practically the majority of budgeted workers, their salaries would not allow them to cover that difference,” he said.
The official admitted that the measures taken so far have not met citizen expectations. “We are dissatisfied that the necessary progress has not been made,” he said, when presenting the results of the government plan designed a year ago to mitigate economic distortions.
The current panorama, marked by high inflation and widespread shortages, makes access to basic foods such as rice, sugar, eggs and bread, the cost of which far exceeds the population’s average salary, a challenge.
Also this Wednesday, Marrero Cruz advertisement that the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA) will increase internet rates starting in 2025.
The prime minister explained that the main purpose of the measure is to generate foreign currency, since the implementation of charging in national currency affected the popularity of offers in dollars. In front of the deputies, the official specified that the rates in national currency “cannot remain unlimited” and that a maximum consumption will be applied: “From then on, whoever wants to spend more will have to pay another price,” he indicated.
