A total of 48 thefts were reported in the warehouses of Las Tunas province during the first half of the year, primarily concentrated in the provincial capital and the municipality of Puerto Padre, with a significant increase in July and August.
The municipalities of Las Tunas and Puerto Padre account for 73 percent of the reported thefts during the first six months of the year, according to the official Periódico 26.
During a meeting involving government, party leaders, and directors of Commerce and Gastronomy, it was acknowledged that these thefts were due to unresolved vulnerabilities by the regime.
Authorities from the Ministry of the Interior justified the destination of the stolen goods, pointing to "the high prices at which they are sold in various private ventures," and stated that this "facilitates their quick sale in the informal market."
Additionally, they emphasized that "this situation allows for tolerance and the lack of corresponding reports," blaming the public for the regime's inefficacy in capturing the culprits.
Aimara Pérez Sobrino, chief prosecutor in Las Tunas, defended the regime's lack of action by stating that "the immobility of all those involved in these matters is one of the factors that makes these crimes possible."
She also noted that these criminal acts are mostly committed by young people and recognized that "negligence and lack of action predominate in each of the investigations conducted."
The government's inefficacy in Las Tunas to address the problem of warehouse thefts is not new. In 2023, 97 thefts were recorded in these units, causing significant losses and leaving many families without their basic products.
Raymel Espinosa Saborit, director of Commerce in Las Tunas, told Periódico 26 that the thefts have caused an economic impact of more than two million pesos across the eight municipalities of the province.
The news portal reported that among the stolen items were more than 43,900 pounds of brown sugar, 2,900 pounds of refined sugar, 30,000 pounds of rice, 927 liters of oil, over 1,000 packages of coffee, and 1,180 pounds of beans.
These criminal acts correspond with a rise in violence in this eastern province, which has kept the citizenry on edge. This situation is not unique to Las Tunas; there have been reports of thefts in warehouses across all provinces of the country. Recently, there was a report of theft of rationed food in Santiago de Cuba, at Kilometer 6 of the Central Road in Las Cuevas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Theft Incidents in Las Tunas Warehouses
Below are some common questions and answers regarding the recent surge in theft incidents in Las Tunas warehouses.
What caused the increase in warehouse thefts in Las Tunas?
The increase in warehouse thefts is attributed to unresolved vulnerabilities in the security system and the high prices at which stolen goods are sold in private ventures.
Which municipalities are most affected by these thefts?
The municipalities of Las Tunas and Puerto Padre are the most affected, accounting for 73 percent of the reported thefts.
What items are most commonly stolen from these warehouses?
Commonly stolen items include brown sugar, refined sugar, rice, oil, coffee, and beans.