The Cuban authorities sold cow bones to residents of Havana during a fair celebrating the anniversary of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), according to the independent news platform CubaNet. "Bones for sale at 200 pesos," the news outlet reported, specifying that the fair took place on the bustling Galiano Street.
In a video shared by CubaNet, numerous individuals are seen waiting in a long line to purchase the bones, which had very little meat on them, along with other products sold at the event. The footage also documented other sales areas on the same Havana avenue, where clothing was being sold.
Several comments accompanying the publication condemned the sale of such food scraps to the public, noting that these bones are only useful for making broth, as they contain almost no meat. "No one is a victim here; we are all complicit in what we allow. As Nicolás Guillén said: 'I have what I had to have'," remarked one social media user.
"What a lack of respect, this is what we deserve. The people can't eat the meat because they won’t allow it to be sold. But they do sell the bones. Such abuse!" another user pointed out.
"It's like they do it on purpose; they take the meat and sell the bones to the people... they're overdoing it... and on top of that, there's no electricity so people have to endure the heat for as long as they want," commented another person, highlighting additional issues faced by Cuban society today.
This sale of bones is not new among the Cuban population. In the past, officials have sent trucks loaded with this product, taking advantage of the country's severe food crisis, knowing that many Cubans have no choice but to buy them despite the high prices set by the government.
In 2023, shocking images circulated on social media showing the lack of hygiene in the sale of cow bones in Camagüey, where the product was thrown on the ground in the street for distribution. That same year, in Las Tunas, the state butcher shop distributed what were supposed to be cow ribs, but were actually just bones. "They completely scraped those ribs with a knife," an internet user commented.
Criticism in Havana erupted over images of cow bones being sold as if they were meat. This deceptive promotion took place in the Bahía neighborhood, at the Round Market on 20th Street, where tilapia and "meat" were being sold.
In early August of this year, another CubaNet report highlighted the unsanitary conditions in which cow bones, hoofs, and stomach were sold at an agricultural fair in Parque del Cristo, in the Old Havana municipality.
The government allocates most of the meat produced in the country to tourism. Hotels receive hundreds of pounds of beef, but the Cuban people are sold the bones and by-products of the animals. This has been happening for years on the island. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that people now accept the sale of bones and food under unhygienic conditions as normal.
Key Issues Surrounding the Sale of Cow Bones in Cuba
This section addresses some of the critical questions raised by the article regarding the Cuban government's sale of cow bones to its citizens.
Why did the Cuban government sell cow bones to the public?
The Cuban government sold cow bones to the public during a fair for the anniversary of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), likely as a result of the severe food crisis the country is facing, where many citizens have no other option but to purchase these items.
What was the public reaction to the sale of cow bones?
The public reaction was largely negative, with many criticizing the government for selling food scraps that are only useful for making broth, as they contain almost no meat. Comments highlighted the disrespect and abuse faced by the people.
How has the sale of cow bones been handled in the past?
In the past, officials have sent trucks with cow bones, taking advantage of the food crisis. There have been instances of poor hygiene, such as bones being thrown on the ground in Camagüey and misleading promotions in Las Tunas.
What is the primary destination for most of the meat produced in Cuba?
Most of the meat produced in Cuba is allocated to the tourism industry. Hotels receive the majority of the meat, while Cuban citizens are sold the bones and by-products.