In Santa Clara, the capital of Villa Clara province, yet another state-run store has been sanctioned by government inspectors after hidden merchandise was discovered, intended to be kept from public sale. The incident took place at the TRD store “El Aeropuerto,” located on Carretera a Malezas, very close to the Abel Santamaría Cuadrado International Airport.
The inspectors found that employees of this store had concealed 52 packages of stage-four disposable diapers, priced at 800 Cuban pesos (CUP). As a result, they ordered the immediate sale of the product so that mothers, who continually face severe shortages in Cuba, could purchase them for their babies.
Additionally, the inspectors noted that “disciplinary measures will be requested” for those involved in this incident, highlighting the rampant corruption within Cuban state sectors.
Other Malpractices Unveiled
During their inspection, the government body uncovered other malpractices in services supposed to be provided by state entities to the public. For instance, at a bakery in the Cifuentes municipality, consumers were being deceived as the standard bread loaf, which should weigh 200 grams, had an average weight ranging between 130 and 150 grams.
In the Camajuaní municipality, specifically at the Vueltas People's Council, inspectors found a deficiency of 39.5 pounds of rice in the “La Loma Colorada” bodega.
Other violations were detected among self-employed workers, notably the breach of Resolution 225 of 2024, which regulates the sale of six essential products in Cuba.
Just over a week ago, in a similar inspection prompted by a public complaint, Santa Clara inspectors found 10 Minerva 26 bicycles priced at 31,000 Cuban pesos hidden in the warehouse of the TRD La Orquídea, located in the Doce Plantas building of Sandino. As a result, an 8,000 Cuban pesos fine was imposed on the responsible parties under Decree 30 of 2021, and an immediate sale was ordered.
Such incidents are intensely criticized by the public, who are the primary victims of the ongoing crisis on the island, exacerbated by the inefficiency of Cuban leaders who have yet to find a solution to lift the country out of poverty.
Government Inspections and Corruption in Cuba
The following questions and answers provide insights into the ongoing issues with government inspections and corruption in Cuba:
Why was the TRD store "El Aeropuerto" sanctioned?
The store was sanctioned after inspectors discovered that employees had hidden 52 packages of stage-four disposable diapers to keep them from being sold to the public.
What other malpractices were found during the inspection?
Inspectors found several other malpractices, including underweight bread loaves at a bakery in Cifuentes and a shortage of 39.5 pounds of rice at a bodega in Camajuaní.