As protests erupted on the streets of Santiago de Cuba on Wednesday night, the government hastily organized the distribution of donated goods to quell public unrest. Each person is to receive one kilo of rice or pasta, a measure initiated by the provincial government in May to fulfill the March food quota across several municipalities.
The distribution, based on logistical considerations, offers either rice or pasta amidst what authorities themselves describe as a "context of scarcity"—a euphemism that has become synonymous with the nation. The state-run media outlet Sierra Maestra reported with triumph the unloading of a ship laden with these donations.
Arriving over two months late, the shipment is being distributed with urgency: Santiago de Cuba, Palma Soriano, Mella, Contramaestre, and Guamá receive rice, while Tercer Frente, Songo-La Maya, San Luis, and Segundo Frente get pasta. This differentiation, according to the report, follows "availability criteria," suggesting that even basic needs are geographically selective. Notably, recipients are given either one product or the other, not both.
A combined effort involving state and private transporters was set up to prevent delays, speculation, or hoarding, as reported by Sierra Maestra. Yaneidis Hechavarría, President of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power in Santiago de Cuba, announced on Facebook that trucks and manpower are in place to expedite the unloading of rice at the Guillermón Moncada port, as part of the food aid distribution operation.
The rushed unloading highlights a delay of over two months in delivering essential foodstuffs, overshadowed by the celebratory tone of receiving donations to fulfill an overdue quota. Beyond the logistical spectacle, these donations have become a regular feature of Cuba's "food management" strategy.
While the government blames the "blockade" as the sole reason for the collapse, families continue to wait for food that never arrives on time, and for solutions that remain absent even in the most polished speeches. The chronic reliance on foreign donations and the distribution of "one kilo per person" starkly illustrate a system that neither produces nor imports timely, nor addresses the people's needs with dignity.
The regime’s urgency in distributing "food" in Santiago de Cuba is neither coincidental nor humanitarian; it responds to an increasingly tense social climate, as reported by journalist Yosmany Mayeta on Facebook. Following a night of protests in Santiago de Cuba, stores received "gifted" rice and ATMs were replenished with cash.
In response to the looming social unrest, party authorities expedited the delivery of donated rice, providing "one kilo per person" to the main municipality's stores, Mayeta emphasized. Concurrently, ATMs, which had been empty for weeks, were suddenly stocked with cash right after the protests and demonstrations.
The reaction did not go unnoticed: long lines formed outside supermarkets and sales points, such as in the Antonio Maceo neighborhood, recently the site of a theft of infant milk. Residents opted to sleep outside stores to ensure they received the product, while the scarcity continues to affect the tables of thousands of households, Mayeta added.
Adding to this situation, there is no flour in the province to ensure the regulated bread supply from the basic basket, as production faces severe setbacks due to the lack of imported raw materials and the inability to mill locally. Furthermore, amid a severe energy crisis, the local government is "seeking" alternatives to sell charcoal to the population due to the absence of liquefied gas.
Understanding the Food Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
Why is there a food shortage in Santiago de Cuba?
The food shortage in Santiago de Cuba is attributed to delays in imported supplies, logistical challenges, and a reliance on foreign donations. The government also cites the "blockade" as a contributing factor.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the food crisis?
The government is distributing donations of rice and pasta and organizing mixed operations with state and private transporters to prevent delays and hoarding. However, these measures are seen as temporary solutions rather than addressing the underlying issues.
How have the people of Santiago de Cuba reacted to the food distribution?
The people have reacted with long lines and even sleeping outside stores to ensure they receive the distributed products. The social unrest and protests indicate widespread dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the crisis.