Galerías Paseo, a well-known store in Havana, suspended its sales this Wednesday due to a shortage of paper for issuing purchase receipts, as reported on social media. María Orizondo, a user on Facebook, revealed that the lack of paper rolls for ticket printers prevented the store from offering its usual services in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality.
Upon investigating the situation, Orizondo found the reality: customers were left without options to make purchases while waiting for the necessary materials to arrive. The situation is even more dire as the Cuban government has run out of paper to print and produce the notebooks, books, and workbooks needed by students who recently started the 2022-2023 school year.
Ena Elsa Velázquez Cobiella, the Minister of Education, assured that the available paper would only allow for the printing of a portion of the materials, thus requiring the reuse of books and a reduction in the per capita quantity of notebooks. In January, Cuban authorities also announced that the country lacked the raw materials necessary for the production of ration books for the year 2024.
The information, published by the Provincial Government of People's Power of Matanzas, indicates that there are delays in importing the raw materials needed for the production of ration books, resulting in significant delays in their printing and distribution to carry out the exchange of books for 2024.
As for the store, just a few days ago, social media users reported the state of neglect in which the iconic shopping center in Vedado currently finds itself. The customer experience is described as "painful, unpleasant, humiliating."
Additionally, the Facebook user Arianna Llana warned in the group "EL Vedado de Hoy" about people living in destitution under the complex.
Understanding the Paper Shortage Crisis in Cuba
In light of the recent events at Galerías Paseo and the broader implications for Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why did Galerías Paseo suspend its sales?
Sales were suspended due to a shortage of paper for printing purchase receipts, making it impossible to carry out transactions.
What is the impact on Cuban schools?
The shortage of paper has affected the printing of essential educational materials, forcing schools to reuse books and limit the distribution of notebooks.
What are the broader implications of this shortage?
Beyond affecting retail and education, the paper shortage has also delayed the production and distribution of ration books, which are crucial for the Cuban population's access to basic goods.