Nearly 40 Fines Issued to Small Businesses and Self-Employed for Price Violations in Sancti Spíritus

In the past two weeks, authorities in Cabaiguán, located in Sancti Spíritus, have levied fines against nearly 40 small businesses and self-employed individuals for violating capped prices on essential goods that the state cannot provide in the family basket. Since Friday, July 12, inspectors have penalized 38 private economic actors, imposing fines totaling over 113,000 pesos.

The newspaper Escambray reports that after the government set maximum retail prices for six high-demand items—oil (excluding olive oil), pasta, sausages, milk, detergent, and chicken—the latter has disappeared from sales points. The report attributes this to business owners breaking the law in an attempt to "inflate their profits at the expense of many."

"According to records from the Municipal Comprehensive Inspection Directorate, there have been three forced sales of chicken and sausages hidden from users, to name a few examples," the publication specifies.

Apparently, no additional measures such as temporary license revocation or confiscation of goods were taken against the fined sellers. These businesses fared better than the 15 small businesses that the government shut down due to accounting irregularities.

On the other hand, residents of Cabaiguán complain that stores accepting Freely Convertible Currency (MLC) also display very high prices, affordable to only a few. Following the government's crackdown on non-state sector sellers, Escambray reminded that telephone channels are available for the public to report those who violate set tariffs and called for oversight to be extended to state centers, basic units, and commercial entities.