One of the primary issues facing the residents of Santiago de Cuba, and the rest of the country, is the search for food—an ordeal that often puts them at a crossroads: an empty state-run market versus a private market with unaffordable prices.
The scarcity of food forces people to visit the state markets in Santiago de Cuba daily, clinging to the hope of finding more affordable products, as shown by the news portal Diario de Cuba in a video posted on Facebook.
“On top of the power outages, there’s the difficulty of finding food at reasonable prices,” the news outlet noted on the social network, highlighting five state-run establishments, many of which had only two or three items available.
In contrast, Diario de Cuba also toured the private markets, revealing a completely different reality: they were stocked with products but at prices that were out of reach for most of the population. “There’s food here, but at impossible prices,” the news portal stated on Facebook, reporting that the video showcased the situation in seven private markets.
The food shortage in Cuba paints a bleak picture and leaves refrigerators empty—a situation that is repeated across the island.
Recently, Cuban comedian Limay Blanco took to social media to ask for help in buying some rice and chicken for a close relative, showing how that person’s refrigerator was completely empty.
“This is how many Cubans are living, believe me, that’s the refrigerator of 90% of the population,” expressed a follower of the artist.
Understanding the Food Crisis in Santiago de Cuba
The following questions and answers provide further insight into the food crisis in Santiago de Cuba, highlighting the challenges faced by residents in their daily search for sustenance.
What are the main challenges in finding food in Santiago de Cuba?
Residents face the dilemma of choosing between empty state-run markets and private markets with exorbitant prices.
How often do residents visit state-run markets?
People visit state-run markets daily in the hope of finding affordable food items.
What did Diario de Cuba's video reveal about private markets?
The video showed that private markets are well-stocked but have prices that are unaffordable for most Cubans.