The administration of Hotel Los Caneyes, located in Santa Clara, Villa Clara, has firmly rejected accusations made this Tuesday regarding the alleged daily disposal of large quantities of perfectly good meat amidst Cuba's severe food shortages.
The allegations were originally brought to light on June 28 by the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and Press (ICLEP) through its community outlet, Páginas Villareñas. Anonymous hotel employees claimed that chicken, pork, and beef were regularly discarded due to so-called "administrative hurdles" that prevented their sale or donation.
"It's shameful to see meat being thrown away when there are families who haven't had any in months," one employee told ICLEP.
Another worker added, "Many people need these foods, and the attitude here is indifferent. They could sell them to us at affordable prices and even generate extra income."
In response, the hotel issued an official statement on its Facebook page, branding the allegations as "false" and strongly denying any food waste.
"At no time has any food been wasted in our hotel. Those spreading such false information are unaware of our operations and the discipline with which each staff member manages resources," the statement emphasized.
The hotel clarified that all food products are allocated for day-pass offers, family reservations made 24 hours in advance, and buffet lunch services on weekends.
The statement also highlighted that cooking is currently done using charcoal, underscoring the additional effort required from the staff.
The hotel management attributed the allegations to a deliberate campaign: "It's no coincidence that these kinds of 'allegations' arise in the current context. They are part of a strategy to discredit the Cuban tourism sector."
In December 2025, a former employee of the Grand Aston La Habana, owned by the military conglomerate GAESA, reported a similar issue: perfectly usable foods like fried chicken, rice, and eggs were being discarded while the general populace couldn't access these basic items. "They prefer to throw food away rather than let workers take it home," the ex-employee stated.
Hotel Los Caneyes, a part of the state-run Cubanacán chain, has been in operation since 1966, featuring 96 rooms designed to reflect the indigenous Taíno caneyes architecture.
These allegations emerge at a challenging time for Cuban tourism. In May 2026, only 30,883 visitors arrived on the island, marking the lowest monthly figure in years, with a cumulative decline of 58.4% in the first five months of the year. Hotel occupancy rates remain below 10%, prompting the regime to shutter dozens of establishments.
Understanding the Allegations Against Cuban Hotels
What were the allegations against Hotel Los Caneyes?
Hotel Los Caneyes was accused of discarding large quantities of chicken, pork, and beef due to "administrative hurdles" instead of selling or donating them, as claimed by anonymous employees.
How did Hotel Los Caneyes respond to the accusations?
The hotel denied the allegations in an official statement, asserting that no food is wasted and that all products are used for day-pass offers, family reservations, and weekend buffet services.
Why is this issue significant in the context of Cuban tourism?
The allegations come at a time when Cuban tourism is struggling, with visitor numbers and hotel occupancy rates plummeting, leading to the closure of many establishments.