HAVANA.- One of the biggest problems facing the Cuban population today is shortage of basic products in the markets. And when these appear, they do so at prices unaffordable for the majority. A reality that, of course, the senior leaders do not suffer, who—guarded by bodyguards—move at full speed in luxurious cars with tinted windows, oblivious to the overwhelming lives of their compatriots.
Every time I go out to look for a necessary product, I see that prices continue to rise, both in state markets and in MSMEs. Added to this are street vendors, who have also increased their prices while trying to go unnoticed by inspectors and police.
I will illustrate this situation with some examples so that the reader can compare them with the average basic salary, which according to official figures last September was 6,685 pesos per month, equivalent to approximately 223 pesos per day.
A few days ago, at the Tulipán agromarket, in El Cerro, I bought a bundle of 12 small onions for 410 pesos; a package of six medium peppers for 360 pesos, and a pound of black beans for 400 pesos. In total, I spent 1,170 pesos.
In MSMEs there are items that are scarce or do not exist in the state retail network, but their prices are alarming. Suffice it to mention that a liter of oil costs between 1,500 and 2,000 pesos; the pound of ricea basic food in the Cuban diet, costs around 300 pesos, and a package of eight breads costs 350 pesos, that is. How can we eat? It’s a mystery.
Bath soaps are sold between 150 and 180 pesos, depending on their size; Laundry soap costs between 200 and 300 pesos. A 500 gram package of detergent costs 600 pesos; the one kilogram, 1,200, and the largest ones do not go below 3,000 pesos.
If we go to the state stores that sell in foreign currency and convert their prices at the informal exchange rate—currently, 500 pesos per dollar and 550 per euro—, the conclusion is clear: it is more convenient to buy in pesos “on the left” than in those stores.
These high prices do not affect those who receive remittances from abroad or have their own businesses to the same extent. However, this group represents a minimal part of the population. How do the rest survive then?
Inflation is unstoppable. Prices rise by 50 and even 100 pesos per week, and even from one day to the next. This phenomenon fuels the unrest that is expressed loudly in the streets today, along with blackouts, lack of water, shortage of medicines and the collapse of public transportation.
The main cause of this situation is not “the blockade”, as the official discourse insists, but rather the generalized clumsiness, inefficiency and corruption of the Government. The bosses, who ask to resist and demand more and more sacrifices from those below, are only interested in perpetuating themselves in power. The agreements and guidelines that emerge from their meetings never lead to real solutions.
It amazes me that there are still those who defend the regime tooth and nail, despite suffering the same problems as the rest of the Cubans.
And what can we say about the foreigners who justify the system, idealize it and blame the US Government for the hardships of the Cuban people. It would be enough for them to experience our daily agonies for them to surely think differently.
