Mario Sabines Lorenzo, the Communist Party Secretary in Matanzas, made a rare self-critique on Sunday regarding the province’s agricultural fairs. He openly admitted, “we’re not satisfied” with their performance, despite being advertised as a primary food distribution channel in Cuba. In a Facebook post, Sabines highlighted issues faced daily by Cubans, such as price violations, unmet production targets, hoarding by resellers, and the limited success of digital sales. He also mentioned that “not all production forms are represented” and the anticipated harvest volumes are not being met.
Though Sabines stated that efforts are underway to address and eliminate these issues, he did not provide concrete solutions or timelines. Meanwhile, every Sunday, residents of Matanzas face harsh realities at the Plaza del Tenis fair. For instance, a carton of eggs can cost as much as 3,000 pesos, and pork is priced at 750 pesos per pound, costs that are out of reach for most families grappling with inflation and stagnant wages.
Officially promoted as a solution to scarcity, these fairs have devolved into chaotic environments. Attendees describe the experience as “a trip to the Wild West,” with inspectors setting arbitrary price caps and consumers accusing vendors of deceit.
The Harsh Reality of Cuba’s Crisis
Beyond the exorbitant prices, these fairs expose the harshest aspects of Cuba’s ongoing crisis. Earlier in August, a family was seen sleeping under a stall at the Matanzas fair, surviving on leftovers from vegetable trucks. This scene, shared widely on social media, laid bare the destitution and neglect in a nation where, according to government statistics, over 300,000 people live in vulnerable conditions.
Sabines’ remarks mark an unusual shift in the official narrative, which typically blames external factors or the U.S. embargo. However, the absence of tangible proposals underscores the disconnect between political rhetoric and the everyday struggles of Cubans.
As the Party acknowledges these irregularities, prices continue to soar, and poverty becomes increasingly apparent at agricultural fairs in Matanzas and throughout the country. Consumers are left striving to survive in a market touted as a “victory,” yet many view it as a daily defeat.
Understanding the Agricultural Crisis in Cuba
What issues did Mario Sabines Lorenzo highlight about the agricultural fairs?
Mario Sabines Lorenzo pointed out problems such as price violations, unmet production plans, hoarding by resellers, and the limited impact of digital sales as issues plaguing the agricultural fairs.
How do the prices at the agricultural fairs affect Cuban families?
The prices at the fairs, such as 3,000 pesos for a carton of eggs and 750 pesos per pound of pork, are prohibitively high for most Cuban families, who are already struggling with inflation and stagnant wages.
What does the scene of a family sleeping under a stall reveal about Cuba’s crisis?
This scene highlights the severe poverty and neglect in Cuba, where many live in vulnerable situations, and underscores the inadequacy of the current system to support its citizens.