The complaint of a Cuban citizen sent to the editorial office of CiberCuba highlighted the severe delays faced by patrons of a store in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba. These individuals have not yet received the food supplies provided by the regime through the ration book.
Nearly 20 days into June, the patrons of the "El Alba" store are still waiting for their basic food rations from May. The residents' patience has reached its limit, and on Tuesday, a group gathered in front of the store to protest and demand their overdue rations.
"A crowd of consumers went to demand at the store called 'El Alba', located at Camilo Cienfuegos and October 10th in Palma Soriano, the rations from last month that have yet to arrive, and there is no response," explained the source who provided images of the neighborhood protest to this newsroom.
According to the source, the residents gathered to demand justice and food. "No more abuse, no more lies, no more misery, we are hungry," were the words heard in Palma Soriano. CiberCuba received photographic evidence of the neighborhood protests.
"The director and his accomplices from the Commerce department in this municipality, who owns two motorcycles and two houses, arrived immediately. He claimed the rations are available, but the problem is the rain preventing transportation. What a shameless excuse!" the resident reported. Shortly thereafter, State Security arrived looking for the leader of the protests.
With over 120,000 inhabitants (2020), the Santiago municipality of Palma Soriano was one of the most active during the historic protests of July 11, 2021, in Cuba (11J), resulting in many residents being brutally repressed and given lengthy prison sentences.
Protesters from 11J in this locality were sentenced to up to 12 years of imprisonment, as reported in May 2022. "What they have done to those young people is unspeakable. Mock trials filled with lies," said the mother of activist Daniel Fernández Álvarez, who was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Among the most memorable scenes from those days was a crowd of Cubans shouting "murderer" at Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés Menéndez when he visited the locality amid the mass protests.
"Murderer, you are starving us to death," was heard in a video published by the independent press, showing Valdés walking among the congregation of protesters, surrounded by military personnel. "They beat people!" the crowd also denounced before starting to chant "Freedom" as the communist leader left.
Days later, in August 2021, Valdés decorated two repressors who acted against the protesters of Palma Soriano. In a ceremony, the former Interior Minister awarded the Distinguished Service distinction to Lieutenant Julio Cesar Sotomayor Lora and First Sub-Officer Felipe Aparicio Santiesteban, both from the Provincial Transit Unit, "for their courageous attitude in confronting the events" of that day, according to Granma.
In mid-March 2023, Palma Soriano witnessed the appearance of a graffiti message against the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel, calling for him to step down. "Hand over the country," read the message addressed to the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), accompanied by the now-popular phrase "Díaz-Canel singao."
Amid an unprecedented crisis, the Cuban regime still cannot guarantee the scant products of the basic family basket sold in a rationed manner. Accumulated delays, partial deliveries, and reduced quantities are some of the issues plaguing the Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN).
"We have been unable to meet our commitments, but well... we have the rest of the year to do so," said Betsy Díaz Velázquez, head of the MINCIN, in early June during the presentation of the accountability report to the President of the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP), Esteban Lazo Hernández.
Delays in Food Distribution and Public Protests in Palma Soriano
In light of the ongoing delays and public outcry in Palma Soriano, we address some of the most pressing questions surrounding the situation.
Why are residents of Palma Soriano protesting?
Residents are protesting due to severe delays in receiving their basic food rations, which are provided by the government through a ration book system. The delays have lasted nearly two months, causing significant distress among the population.
What was the response from local authorities?
Local authorities, including the director of the Commerce department, claimed that the delay was due to rain preventing transportation. However, residents expressed their frustration and disbelief at this explanation.
What is the historical context of protests in Palma Soriano?
Palma Soriano has a history of active participation in protests, notably during the July 11, 2021 protests (11J) in Cuba. Many residents were brutally repressed and sentenced to long prison terms during these events.