Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel recently embarked on a tour of various factories and state-owned enterprises in the municipalities of Cotorro and East Havana. The aim of this visit was to convey a message of "victory" and "recovery" amidst the country's ongoing production collapse. However, many citizens viewed this as nothing more than a propaganda exercise. Among the stops was the Cuban-Canadian joint venture, Coracán S.A., which specializes in the production of instant foods for various markets.
The company described the visit as an "honor" and a "gratifying boost" on social media, yet failed to address the severe technological and logistical challenges plaguing Cuba's food industry. This omission did not go unnoticed by users online. "More tours without solving anything," remarked one individual. "It's all smoke. The industries in Cotorro are in ruins," stated another user claiming to have worked in those facilities.
One of the most supported comments on the Presidency Cuba Facebook page criticized the staged nature of these visits: "Planned visits with enough time to set up the theatrical production for the photos and, above all, for the 'news.' I urge them to visit unannounced and see the surprise they get." Another widely-interacted comment questioned the authenticity of the production shown: "Anyone familiar with industries, upon seeing that empty warehouse, knows it was staged for the visit."
During the tour, Díaz-Canel also visited the yogurt factory Moralitos, which had been inactive for nearly two years but recently resumed operations through a partnership with a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME). Although it has yet to reach full capacity, the government promotes it as a symbol of progress this year.
Most of these "industries" barely ensure symbolic production, often sold in dollars, yet the leader expressed satisfaction with the "recovery" of previously halted facilities. The reality starkly contrasts with the official narrative. Food products remain scarce, and prices are soaring in a market that lacks supplies and is dollarized.
The regime's reports did not address essential issues such as structural problems, raw material shortages, technological obsolescence, and the loss of skilled labor, which remain unresolved. The visit also included the Aquaculture Technology Development Company, where its role as an educational unit and its "results" were highlighted. Nevertheless, internal reports and citizen accounts indicate critical levels of unproductivity, environmental contamination, and inefficient resource use.
Despite the regime's efforts to present an image of productive reactivation, the truth is that Cuban industry remains in shambles, caught between triumphalist rhetoric and harsh daily realities. Factories seem renewed only for the cameras, while everyday Cubans endure power outages, inflation, and a market that fails to meet their basic needs.
Key Concerns About Cuba's Industrial Recovery
What challenges does the Cuban food industry currently face?
The Cuban food industry is grappling with significant technological and logistical challenges, such as outdated equipment, raw material shortages, and a lack of qualified workforce, which are not addressed in official reports.
How have citizens reacted to Díaz-Canel's factory visits?
Many citizens have criticized Díaz-Canel's visits as mere propaganda, expressing frustration over the lack of real solutions and the staged nature of the tours.
Is there any real recovery in Cuban industries?
While the government promotes certain examples of progress, such as the yogurt factory Moralitos, the overall industry remains largely unproductive, with most operations being symbolic and often reliant on dollar transactions.