The Provincial Government of Las Tunas has called off the Agricultural Fair scheduled for this Saturday, citing a lack of fuel to gather and transport food products from various municipalities to the provincial capital.
The authorities in Las Tunas placed the blame on the "economic strangulation policy imposed by the United States against Cuba," ending their statement with the hashtag #EndTheBlockade and expressing gratitude for the public's "understanding."
However, the announcement ignited a storm of angry remarks highlighting a glaring contradiction. On the previous Friday, the regime had managed to deploy dozens of public transport buses to ferry individuals to the José Martí Anti-Imperialist Tribune in Havana, for an event supporting Raúl Castro, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel and organized by the Union of Young Communists.
In Las Tunas, special events were also arranged in institutions to show support for Castro, while simultaneously admitting publicly that there was no fuel available to transport food.
Cubans didn't let the irony go unnoticed. "There's no fuel to transport food to the people, but there is for moving people forced to march under the sun," commented one individual.
Government Prioritizes Political Rallies Over Fuel Crisis
Despite the ongoing fuel crisis in the country, the Cuban regime has called for open tribunes across Cuba from Saturday, May 23, until June 3, the day Raúl Castro Ruz turns 95 years old. This move is in response to the criminal charge filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against the former leader for the downing of Brothers to the Rescue planes in 1996.
Canal Caribe reported that these mobilizations aim to "condemn the despicable and infamous act by the U.S. Department of Justice against the leader of the Cuban Revolution and support the Revolutionary Government's Declaration."
Public Outcry Over Fuel for Political Campaigns
Criticism from Cubans has been fierce. "All the fuel was used on Friday. It's depleted, and there's none left for essential needs," stated one comment.
Another Cuban questioned, "How is it there's no fuel, yet buses transporting people for the march were available?"
Critics also targeted the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite. "Take away the fuel from the PCC and Provincial Government officials. They have enough to move around," another comment suggested.
One person proposed, "Contribute the fuel from all public officials to supply the people since their duty is to serve the Cuban populace."
A sarcastic remark summed up the regime's logic: "Perhaps if there were fewer political events, there would be enough fuel to transport food for the people. It seems to me, and probably to the rest of the country's workers, that food is the most necessary."
On May 16, the Ministry of Transportation announced further cuts in the sector, intensifying a mobility and supply distribution crisis that the regime continues to blame on the embargo while allocating its limited resources to sustain political events.
FAQs on Fuel Shortage and Political Priorities in Cuba
Why was the Agricultural Fair in Las Tunas canceled?
The fair was canceled due to a shortage of fuel necessary for collecting and transporting food products to the provincial capital.
What was the public's reaction to the fuel shortage?
The public reacted with outrage, pointing out the contradiction of having fuel for political events but not for essential needs like food transportation.
How is the Cuban government responding to U.S. legal actions?
The government is organizing open tribunes across Cuba as a show of support for Raúl Castro and to denounce actions by the U.S. Department of Justice.