What began as an accident turned into a stampede of people seeking essential goods before authorities arrived.
MIAMI, United States. — An episode of disorder and desperation broke out this Monday on Avenida Martí, one of the busiest arteries in Santiago de Cuba, when a truck lost part of its load of boxes of minced meat.
The scene, with dozens of people rushing at the vehicle to collect the products before the arrival of the Police, was described by the independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada in a post on Facebookwhich includes a video of the event.
The reporter describes that what began as an accident turned into a stampede of people looking for basic products before the authorities arrived. Witnesses cited by him reported that, upon seeing the boxes fall, numerous residents ran towards the truck and tried to take what they could. “They even stabbed people, people are out of control, hungry and afraid of the hurricane,” said a resident of the area.
According to the same publication, in a few minutes the section of the avenue was “militarized,” with patrols and law enforcement officers trying to recover part of the merchandise. However, several residents had already secured their “hurricane food,” taking the boxes in a hurry, according to the story spread by Mayeta Labrada.
The journalist recalled the “generalized shortage” suffered by Cubans and the tension prior to the impact of the Hurricane Melissafactors that – he stressed – keep the population between fear of the phenomenon and the urgency to obtain supplies.
“This is not theft, it is hunger,” declared an elderly woman as she left with a package in her hands, according to the journalist’s story.
According to the publication, the event reflects “the critical food situation that the people are experiencing,” aggravated by the imminence of one of the most powerful hurricanes that has ever threatened Cuba.
