Amid Cuba's severe crisis, Alberto López Díaz, the Minister of the Food Industry (MINAL), declared on Thursday that there is no need to invest in new technologies and infrastructure to produce food. Speaking on the second day of the Third Session of the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP, Parliament), the official stated that the island has 4,500 industries and establishments that produce food.
"There is existing technology, though it lacks spare parts, but our people manage to keep it operational every day. The greatest strength of the sector is its workers, who have the experience to produce the food the country needs," López Díaz said, echoing an outdated triumphant rhetoric that finds diminishing support among the population.
"In the context of a war economy, we do not need to invest in new technologies and infrastructure. With what we have, we have enough capacity to reverse and transform the current situation," emphasized López Díaz, who took over the direction of MINAL last February.
In his speech, he acknowledged the complex times but praised the "high resilience of workers and the population." Failing to recognize his inefficiency, which is evident daily on Cuban tables, the minister stated last year, when he was the governor of Villa Clara, that the problems in the countryside were due to "laziness and slackness." However, farmers argue that the government owes them millions of pesos, which prevents them from ensuring new harvests. Inflation and food shortages are critical issues faced by Cubans.
In recent months, several protests have been reported in Cuba, where residents are voicing three basic demands: "we are hungry," "no more blackouts," and "freedom."
Key Issues in Cuba's Food Industry and Public Protests
This section aims to address some common questions regarding the challenges faced by Cuba's food industry and the public protests in response to these issues.
Why is the Cuban government not investing in new technologies for food production?
The government argues that the existing technology, despite needing spare parts, is sufficient and that the workers' experience is the sector's greatest strength. They believe investment is unnecessary due to the "war economy" conditions.
What are the main reasons behind the recent protests in Cuba?
The protests are primarily driven by hunger, frequent blackouts, and demands for freedom. These issues are exacerbated by inflation and food shortages.
How do farmers in Cuba view the government's handling of agricultural issues?
Farmers claim that the government owes them millions of pesos, hindering their ability to secure new harvests. They dispute the government's assertion that agricultural problems are due to "laziness and slackness."