What was once hailed as a triumph of state-run agriculture during the visit of President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero on July 25, has now become a source of ridicule, frustration, and skepticism among the Cuban public. The “La Cuba” agricultural market, which initially boasted fully stocked shelves and surprisingly low prices, has found itself depleted just five days after its grand opening.
Images shared by journalists Alberto Arego and Mario J. Pentón expose the current state of the market, where only cooking bananas, plantains, and pumpkins are available. Arego sarcastically questioned on social media, “Where are the limes at 65 pesos per pound?” He further added, “We demand fervently that plantains do not become the staple of everything.”
Mario J. Pentón also took to X, expressing disbelief: “And then? What happened?... It didn’t last even 15 days. It’s all a show, a lie, a smokescreen for the photo-op.”
During the market's inauguration, state media celebrated what they called an “efficient management model.” The Cubadebate portal attempted to counter criticisms, stating that the event was neither staged nor disrespectful, claiming the supply was the result of the “work of the state-owned agricultural enterprise of Ciego de Ávila.”
“It seems like fake news, but it’s not. It’s La Cuba, the exception that confirms the rule until it becomes the rule,” Cubadebate asserted. However, current images contradict those claims and bolster the accusations of many Cubans who viewed the visit as a carefully choreographed display for the leadership’s presence.
Comedian Luis Silva, known for his character Pánfilo, wryly commented post-inauguration: “No. It’s not theater. Give it a few days. When the bosses are no longer there…” His statement, which quickly went viral, seems to have predicted the outcome accurately.
Some locals even claimed that the supposed vendors were disguised officials and that the audience was bussed in to simulate support. Others likened the event to “a political theater play.”
The swift depletion of the “La Cuba” market reinforces a pattern well-known to Cuban citizens: abundance appears only during official visits, disappearing as soon as the cameras stop rolling. Far from being an exception turned into a rule, the inauguration was a fictional snapshot in a country where scarcity has become the norm.
Understanding the Reality of Cuban Agricultural Markets
Why did the "La Cuba" market run out of supplies so quickly?
The rapid depletion of supplies at the "La Cuba" market is attributed to the temporary nature of the stock, which was likely intended for show during the official visit, rather than sustainable supply management.
What was the public reaction to the market's condition?
The public reacted with skepticism and irony, viewing the market's initial presentation as a staged event and expressing frustration over the swift return to scarcity.
How did state media respond to criticisms about the market?
State media, particularly Cubadebate, claimed that the market's supply was genuine and not staged, attributing it to the efforts of state agricultural enterprises.