Recent comments made on Cuban state television regarding the nation's food crisis have sparked a wave of outrage, sarcasm, and criticism on social media. The controversy erupted after a government official suggested that Cubans should reduce or eliminate the consumption of rice and potatoes.
These remarks were delivered by Roberto Caballero, a member of the National Executive Committee of Agricultural and Forestry Technicians, during the official program "Cuadrando la Caja."
According to Caballero, one of the major hurdles to achieving "food sovereignty" in Cuba is the consumption of foods "not native to the country." By making this suggestion, he blamed the population's "eating habits" for the challenges facing the agricultural sector.
Caballero claimed that potatoes "have never adapted to Cuba's climate and soils," and that their production results in more losses than benefits for the state. He also criticized the high consumption of rice, stating, “We are not Asian,” implying that this habit should and can be changed.
The statements led to a flood of critical reactions. Activist José Luis Tan Estrada mocked the suggestion: “From 'we don't have fish because there are hardly any fish in Cuba's waters' to 'eating too much rice worsens the food crisis.' Gems.”
With equal sarcasm, journalist José Raúl Gallego remarked: “We've already stopped eating beef because we're not Uruguayan, and fish because… we don't live on an island surrounded by sea.”
For Ulises Aquino Guerra, what was said on television confirms the "brutal scale of ineptitude and incapacity" of the system. “Now it turns out we don't need to eat potatoes, rice, meat, or eggs. The indigenous people only ate cassava... They didn’t need electricity either,” he wrote, describing the rhetoric as a way to justify the country's unproductiveness and demoralize the people, particularly during Christmas.
Historical and Cultural Context
Others took to social media to counter the argument with historical and cultural references. Lara Crofs pointed out that rice is a staple of traditional Cuban cuisine, featuring prominently in iconic dishes like arroz con pollo, moros y cristianos, and arroz con frijoles, which reflect African, Spanish, and Chinese influences.
She also compared statistics: before 1959, Cuba produced an average of 163,000 metric tons of milled rice annually. By 2025, production is estimated to drop below 30,000 tons, forcing the nation to import the grain. “This year in Havana, I had to pay up to 450 pesos per pound,” she lamented.
Activists such as Mario J. Pentón and Eliécer Ávila agreed that the official discourse shifts the blame for the food crisis onto the population, rather than acknowledging the structural issues of the state agricultural model, the lack of investment in farming, and the obstacles faced by producers.
Many highlighted the contradiction of recommending malanga, yuca, or sweet potatoes when these aren't available in markets, especially as the country grapples with inflation, chronic shortages, and inadequate wages.
For many Cubans, the message was clear: instead of offering real solutions, the regime once again demands sacrifices and dietary changes, blaming the people for not adapting to scarcity. “According to the government, the problem isn't the economic disaster,” summarized one user, “it's that Cubans eat poorly.”
Understanding Cuba's Food Crisis and Government Policies
What did the Cuban government official suggest regarding food consumption?
The official suggested that Cubans should cut down or stop eating rice and potatoes, arguing these are not native foods and contribute to agricultural challenges.
How did Cubans react to the suggestion on social media?
Cubans reacted with outrage, sarcasm, and criticism, pointing out the impracticality and insensitivity of the suggestion amidst the ongoing food crisis.
What historical context did critics offer in response to the official's comments?
Critics highlighted that rice is a fundamental part of Cuban cuisine with deep cultural roots, and they provided historical production data to challenge the official's statements.