Tribuna de La Habana's report on the regulated family food basket has ignited a storm of criticism and mockery on social media, with countless Cubans voicing their frustration over delayed food deliveries and the poor quality of the products provided.
The official report from Havana's Provincial Commerce Company outlines that the distribution of peas, rice, oil, and sugar remains pending in several municipalities, with references to allocations from previous months such as July, September, and October. The document further details that oil must be distributed by "opening the containers" of one, four, or five liters, depending on the number of consumers in each household.
The public reaction was swift on the publication's Facebook page. One user sarcastically questioned, "What basket?" while another inquired, "And the missing rice, sugar, oil, coffee, when will that be available?" The critiques centered on the subpar quality of the products, with comments like "the peas are bug-infested," "fifth-rate peas, not even for pigs, hard as bullets and just a handful," or "today I got bug-ridden peas, what a lack of respect for the people."
Public Outcry Over Food Quality and Delays
Other readers highlighted the lack of hygiene and food spoilage: "peas full of bugs and bad odor, is that what we deserve?" wrote one, while another noted, "I've got the warehouse weevils in my house." Complaints about distribution delays also surfaced. "Check thoroughly, in Guanabacoa there are several markets and stores where they haven't sold the 7 pounds of July's rice yet (3 are still missing)," pointed out a user.
Many questioned why official media would share such information. "It's embarrassing that they publish this," wrote one commenter, while another criticized, "Aren't they ashamed to publish this? Peas with weevils? Shame on the journalists, this is what they've come to." Another reaction summed up the general discontent: "People, and aren't they ashamed to publish such savagery? In November, we're getting July's peas because that's all there is. They need to stop, the whole world sees this, it's humiliating."
The ironic and mocking tone was also present. "My pigeon is saved, it will finally eat, long live the basket!" joked one user. Another quipped, "Man, but how big is this basket? It seems more like a thimble." Among the most shared comments was the phrase: "get rid of the ration book, it's just a decorative item," reflecting the exhaustion with the rationing system.
Irony and Resignation Among the Public
Messages also surfaced mocking official propaganda. "Fishing law and no fish; food sovereignty law and no food; communication law and it's when the least information is given to the people. We continue to go from bad to worse. Undoubtedly a terrible government team," one user stated. Others showed resignation: "this is what we have to endure and resist."
Tribuna de La Habana's post has become a gauge of public dissatisfaction with an increasingly precarious distribution model. Similar situations have been reported in other provinces at different times of the year. In Camagüey, authorities admitted in October that they were still distributing rice meant for June and July, whereas in Las Tunas, mid-November saw the official press touting the delivery of a single bar of laundry soap and one of toilet soap per consumer as "good news," after eight months without hygiene products in the rationed family basket.
In September, a TikTok video showed a young woman collecting June's rice from her store, stating, "I'm standing in line to buy June's rice; it's September, but it just arrived." Her account highlighted the extent of the delays and the precariousness of the deliveries.
Meanwhile, Miguel Díaz-Canel's administration has launched an economic plan that includes eliminating subsidies and raising prices on basic goods and services, without offering concrete measures to address the shortages or the structural problems of the distribution system.
The reactions to the official publication in Havana showcase widespread fatigue and a loss of trust in the ration book system, summed up in a repeated phrase among comments: "get rid of the ration book, it's just a decorative item."
FAQs About Food Distribution Issues in Cuba
What is causing the delays in food distribution in Cuba?
The delays in food distribution in Cuba are attributed to a combination of logistical challenges, insufficient resources, and systemic inefficiencies within the distribution system.
How are Cuban citizens reacting to the quality of distributed food?
Cuban citizens are expressing outrage and frustration over the poor quality of distributed food, reporting issues such as bug infestations and spoilage, which have sparked widespread criticism on social media.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to resolve these issues?
The Cuban government has proposed an economic plan that involves removing subsidies and increasing prices for basic goods, but has not implemented concrete solutions to address the core issues in the food distribution system.