A recent report on Cuban state television featured Yarisel Martínez González, the head of fishing activities in Guamá, Santiago de Cuba. She made a bold promise that every household in the region will have fish on their tables.
The segment, aired on Canal Caribe, highlighted Martínez González's leadership of the local fishing unit and her ambitious plan to boost fishing activities along the coastal area—a goal that seems almost unattainable in a country plagued by ongoing crises.
Martínez González took the helm after participating in a two-year initiative led by Lázaro Esposito Santos, the first secretary of the Communist Party in the municipality. This project aims to enhance food production among local families.
She noted that the municipality catches species like emperor, needlefish, castero, and mahi-mahi. Some of these are supplied to Santiago de Cuba's fish industry, while others are sold at fish markets or used in social projects.
Currently, 19 private boats are involved in the fishing project in the area.
Her vision, as stated in the report, is to transform the basic fishing unit into a provincial benchmark. “Everyone who comes to Guamá should know that fish will not be missing from their plate,” she declared.
Public Reactions and Skepticism
Despite her confident assertion, the message sparked a variety of reactions from viewers on social media.
Magdalena Álvarez Zayas responded with irony: “Easy; draw a fish on paper and voilà, meal served.”
Luis Ángel Pérez was more pointed in his criticism, writing: “You are the most shameless and deceitful person in all of Guamá.”
Others expressed disbelief. Elien Pérez briefly asked, “Seriously?” while Leonor Martínez Pineda questioned, “What planet is that on?”
Victor Pomares Padrón likened the promise to long-standing official slogans. “From the creators of ‘Marianao has everything,’ now comes the claim that Guamá overflows with fish. What a disrespect.”
Pedro Morales sarcastically commented on the current economic situation: “Maybe there are fish in Cuba's seas now; after all, there are no tourists, and they’re going to waste.”
Gisela Labrada further questioned the reach of the promise by asking: “And what about those who don’t live in Guamá?”
Humorous remarks also emerged, such as Yoan Manuel Velásquez Villavicencio's joke: “Why would you want to steal Ariel the mermaid’s voice?”
Meanwhile, Melissa Torres left a sarcastic comment: “Should I tell her, or will you?”
Key Questions on Fish Availability in Guamá
What species of fish are caught in Guamá?
In Guamá, they catch species such as emperor, needlefish, castero, and mahi-mahi.
How many private boats are involved in the fishing project?
Currently, 19 private boats participate in the fishing project in the area.
What was the public reaction to the promise of fish on every plate in Guamá?
The public reacted with skepticism and sarcasm, questioning the feasibility of such a promise in light of Cuba's ongoing crisis.