The ongoing food distribution issues in Las Tunas have sparked criticism, as the local government is providing only two pounds of sugar and rice per person in December. Yunier Batista, the director of the Wholesale Food Company, announced that the sugar distribution began on December 10 and is underway in various areas of the province, including the south and municipalities such as Las Tunas, Puerto Padre, and Majibacoa, according to the official Tiempo 21's Facebook post.
Batista boasted that "the transportation logistics are robust enough to move the product from the Colombia sugar mill within 72 hours," assuring that sugar would reach all municipalities by Saturday, December 14. Meanwhile, regarding rice, the official attributed the shortage to the fact that only two pounds per person are being distributed, a pending allocation from November.
To worsen the situation, he announced that another two pounds would be distributed in the coming days, but without clarifying whether these are from November or December, leaving families uncertain about their food supply during the significant end-of-year season.
Although these amounts meet the minimum planned distributions, they have caused dissatisfaction among the province's residents, who find this allocation inadequate to meet basic needs. Yusimí Serrano Torres expressed her frustration: "They announce it as big news when it's the government's duty to ensure the people's nourishment because there's no store or market offering food without the misery of the basic basket."
"More respect for the people, how can they say 'we have strong transportation logistics'? It's laughable," commented Alexander González Pérez regarding the official's statements. Several individuals, including Juan Carlos Rodríguez Cutiño, complained in the comments section that they are still owed sugar from November: "Now, the basic basket will be one month with sugar and another without."
As the regime struggles to provide the sugar quota per person, along with other essential goods, the population is forced to turn to the private market, where prices are unaffordable for most. Recently, an internet user, Gema Jlo, mentioned in the Facebook group "Bazar Santiago de Cuba" that it was "incredible" that "a pound of sugar cost 550 pesos."
However, some have resorted to more drastic measures to sweeten their food and drinks, using instant soft drinks as a sugar substitute.
Food Distribution Challenges in Las Tunas
Why is there a shortage of sugar and rice in Las Tunas?
The shortage is attributed to logistical challenges and the government's inability to meet the demands of the basic food basket, leaving residents with only minimal allocations.
How are residents coping with the lack of sugar?
Some residents are resorting to alternative methods like using instant soft drinks to sweeten their beverages and meals due to the high cost of sugar in the private market.
What has been the public reaction to the food distribution issues?
The public reaction has been one of frustration and dissatisfaction, with residents criticizing the government's failure to provide adequate food supplies and the lack of transparency regarding distribution timelines.