HOLGUÍN, Cuba. – Jorge, who preferred to be identified as such, thought it was strange that last week two inspectors on different days asked him for his self-employment documents. “That is not usual. I was afraid that they would prohibit the weekly package and prevent me from continuing to copy [audiovisuales en] USB flash drives,” he says CubaNet.
Jorge points out that several of his colleagues were also visited unexpectedly by inspectors who made threatening comments.
In the Luz district of Holguín, another entrepreneur who works in the same trade and who also asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, says that an inspector carefully reviewed the documents that accredit him as self-employed. “She saw that everything was fine and that he had paid the license and taxes, and before leaving she told me that we memory copiers had little time left to work.”
The fear that the so-called Weekly Package will be eliminated arises from the entry into force of the Decree 107/2024 which expands the list of prohibited activities for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)non-agricultural cooperatives and self-employed workers.
In its Article 61, this regulation prohibits the distribution of cinematographic products through computer media.
“I am not surprised, because the Government has done so many arbitrary things… The ban on the Weekly Package is just one more of them,” says Isabel Álvarez from Holguín.
The popular outpouring of disagreement with the alleged ban on the Package forced the regime to calm the spirits of Cubans. “The published rules do not prevent this activity from being carried out. The regulations refer to the exhibition of films in a public space, and what the update implies is that it is not permitted to do so in digital media through computer supports,” he explained to Cubadebate Ernesto Vila González, director of the National Center for Copyright and Performing Artists.
Distributed via electronic devices, the Package has been a lifeline for those wishing to escape state television programming, often laden with ideological propaganda and unattractive.
“In these times of many blackouts and little food, I get stressed and whenever I can I watch my soap operas from El Paquete so as not to think too much,” says Lucia Pineda, who has found a way to relieve daily tensions through this medium.
On the other hand, Manuela Rodríguez, also from Holguín, who often visits the USB memory copier, comments: “If they remove the Package, we will get more bored.” The interviewee, who prefers short-running soap operas, is distressed by the rumour that she would lose one of her few options for distraction.
For some, like Ana Rosa Sánchez, the measure would make the Cuban regime look ridiculous. “People will look for a way to obtain the videos, it could be through the Internet or another means,” she predicts.
Susana Vidal also expresses her disappointment: for her, the Package has been one of the few forms of distraction in a society where going out for a walk or enjoying recreational activities is almost impossible. “You can’t go out for a walk because everything is expensive, because they can hit you with a snatch and rob you,” she says.
José Manuel Vega, who also criticizes official television programming, has a similar frustration. “On Cuban television you hear the same old gossip, it’s the same old thing,” he says.
“That [el Paquete Semanal] “They can’t remove it, and if they do, forget it, people will always keep recording memories. It’s mostly the only entertainment Cubans have. Because you can turn on all the Cuban TV channels and they don’t show anything,” concludes Vega.
