On Tuesday, Miguel Díaz-Canel made an appearance in Las Tunas province, where he oversaw the production of croquettes and other fish products at the Pescatun fishing company. Official media highlighted his presence among trays of hamburgers and fish masses, emphasizing the industry's "overachievements" in production, which reportedly exceeded 70 tons per month and surpassed the annual plan by 42 tons.
The Cuban leader also expressed interest in the wages and living conditions of the workers, as well as the destinations of the products, which are partly intended for domestic consumption and export. However, his visit sparked a wave of criticism from locals on social media. Many pointed out on a Facebook post by the official newspaper 26 de Las Tunas that the tour only showcased "polished" areas, ignoring the province's real issues.
"What a shame, he only goes where they take him and doesn't see the real conditions. At the hospital, they surely took him to the remodeled ward, but not to the Microbiology lab, which is falling apart," a user lamented. Others urged the president to step out of the car and visit neglected neighborhoods. "Most people's problems aren't solved by visiting already fixed places, but by going where things are still bad," wrote another commenter.
Community Concerns and Frustrations
Residents also voiced their grievances about the lack of potable water in certain city areas, children drinking from contaminated wells, overflowing sewage, and municipalities without solutions to power outages. "No wonder there was electricity, which never happens in Amancio... the hypocrisy," another commenter remarked ironically.
This Tuesday's visit wasn't Díaz-Canel's first to Las Tunas in 2025. Back in April, during a tour of Jobabo and Colombia municipalities, he openly acknowledged issues like corruption, drug trafficking, water supply failures, banking problems, and insufficient local political response. At that time, he urged not to be "overwhelmed" by these issues, even while admitting irregularities in state contracts, deficiencies in the electrical system, and communities still lacking water despite having solar panels.
Contrasting Narratives
In stark contrast, official media highlighted trivial details such as "pretty good" food and "wonderful" care at an old age home, or that a technical school "had everything," showcasing the disconnect between official rhetoric and the daily lives of Cubans.
Before arriving in Las Tunas, Díaz-Canel visited the "Ernesto Che Guevara" unit in Bayamo, dedicated to buffalo breeding, a species known for its resilience and good production of meat and milk. The agro-industrial company's management claimed to have halted the decline and now boasts 650 head of cattle. However, this information sparked more skepticism than hope, as many Cubans see buffalo meat as existing only in state TV reports, rarely making it to their tables.
While official reports celebrate factories surpassing their goals and companies "recovering," the everyday life of Cubans continues to be plagued by deteriorating hospitals, waterless neighborhoods, power cuts, and food shortages in stores. Díaz-Canel's visits seem more like carefully staged propaganda tours, far removed from the realities most Cubans face.
Key Questions on Díaz-Canel's Visits and Public Perception
What did Díaz-Canel oversee during his visit to Las Tunas?
Díaz-Canel supervised the production of croquettes and other fish derivatives at the Pescatun fishing company.
How did locals react to Díaz-Canel's visit?
Many locals criticized the visit for showcasing polished areas and ignoring the real issues affecting the province.
What are some of the problems faced by residents in Las Tunas?
Residents face issues such as lack of potable water, children drinking from contaminated wells, overflowing sewage, and power outages.
What was Díaz-Canel's previous visit to Las Tunas about?
In April, Díaz-Canel visited Jobabo and Colombia municipalities, addressing concerns about corruption, drug trafficking, and water supply issues.