The Cuban Government sells expired cans for 40 pesos while the population wonders where the donations are.
MADRID, Spain.- In Santiago de Cuba, citizen unrest persists after the sale of expired cans of fish for 40 pesos was reported in the midst of an emergency caused by Hurricane Melissa. The product, according to images spread on social networks, shows an expiration date of November 5, 2025, that is, days before it began to circulate among the population.
One of the complaints was made by the activist Elías Navarro, who published photographs of the food and questioned the marketing of expired products in a territory that is facing outbreaks of diseases and severe shortages after the hurricane.
In his publication, Navarro wrote: “Do you think it is fair to sell cans that have already expired 15 days ago to a town contaminated by various viruses, in the middle of a health emergency? Where are the fresh products? donated by various countries and international organizationsYes?”
Navarro also showed the comment of a user who accused him of lying and attacked him with insults. Regarding that exchange, he added: “As you can see, the guy is an extremist, his solution is to imprison those of us who are capable of denouncing the excesses of his dictatorship, which have truly denigrated our country and our people.”
The activist stated that these cans are being sold “to the entire population due to the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa” and that the situation occurs while the damage continues in numerous neighborhoods in the province.
In the comments of the publication, other users confirmed similar experiences. Ana Esclaide Rubio Rizo stated: “Those who gave for my house, in Veguita de Galo, were expired by 2023.” Julio Salina pointed out: “The lack of respect is as great as their incompetence.” Meanwhile, Daisy Villalón Bonne questioned the whereabouts of humanitarian aid, writing: “The fresh products are in the warehouses of the dome.”
The sale of expired food in a scenario marked by the lack of drinking water, extensive blackouts, hospitals without resources and an epidemiological emergency increases concern among residents, who question why, instead of distributing humanitarian aid, expired products are offered to the victims.
To support the recovery in the east of the country, the UN presented an assistance plan valued at 74.2 million dollars; your Central Emergency Response Fund released 4 million dollars before impact of the hurricane as an anticipatory action, although until now there is no public information on the use of that money.
The United States offered $3 million to address the emergency and Norway announced a contribution of $400,000.
However, testimonies collected by CubaNet Last week they confirmed a general feeling of distrust and fatigue. For those who live in devastated areas, the international aid announced does not match the reality they face every day: minimal rations, spoiled food, sales instead of free deliveries, and entire communities still without electricity or water.
Readers from different Holguín municipalities claimed to have received only basic rations. One user wrote: “Two pounds of rice, one of oil and peas, from then on nothing more.” Another resident of Holguín indicated that they were only given “1 pound of sugar,” while a third reported that “a given package arrived as a gift but noted in the quota as that month’s rice and a pound of sugar.”
From Chivirico, in the Guamá municipality, a resident stated that what arrived were products sold in poor condition: “churrioso rice”, peas “from how many years ago because they are difficult to soften” and a can of sardines that he presumes came from Spanish donations.
Other comments pointed out the sale of sardines that were about to expire, rationed oil and small quantities of chicken given only to children and the elderly.
