In a move that sparked irony and commentary on social media, standout players from Las Tunas in the 64th National Baseball Series were "rewarded" with bags of charcoal, fans, and other essentials. This gesture was seen by many as a stark reminder of Cuba's ongoing daily hardships.
The distribution event, attended by technical staff and support personnel, included representatives from the municipalities of Amancio, Colombia, Majibacoa, and Jesús Menéndez—key figures in granting these incentives to the team known as the Leñadores.
The news was shared on Facebook by the page Yoel al Strike, highlighting the incentives check and the types of items distributed to the Las Tunas players.
These "rewards" were essentially basic survival supplies amidst an energy crisis, with charcoal and fans being crucial for enduring power outages and heat.
This situation is set against a backdrop of ongoing blackouts and the relentless search for ways to cook food and keep cool. In the same province, a state-run outlet in Jobabo began selling bundles of wood as an alternative cooking method, with the images and pricing list shared by journalist Yaidel Miguel Rodríguez Castro of Radio Cabaniguán.
Local authorities have priced charcoal at 25 pesos per kilogram, yet reports from citizens indicate that in areas like La 40, a sack can cost as much as a thousand pesos, highlighting the rampant speculation and lack of control amid the crisis.
Additionally, there’s a rationed distribution of gasoline in Jobabo for those with electric generators, limited to five liters per 100 customers, managed through a digital platform registration.
The sale of wood and the nature of these "incentives" for athletes have stirred outrage on social platforms for what they represent: a nation where the scarcity of energy and basic resources has made emergency-era solutions a norm.
Social media users have drawn parallels to technological and societal backtracking, lamenting that while other countries progress, in Cuba, being rewarded—or having to purchase—what merely allows one to cook or cool down during blackouts is the reality.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis and Incentives
What items were given as incentives to the Las Tunas baseball players?
The players received bags of charcoal, fans, and other basic necessities as incentives.
Why are charcoal and fans considered significant in Cuba?
Due to the ongoing energy crisis in Cuba, charcoal and fans are vital for cooking and staying cool during frequent power outages.
How has the local population reacted to these incentives?
The incentives have caused outrage and mockery on social media, viewed as a reflection of Cuba's economic hardships.