Pedro Lizardo Garcés, the head of the Rampa Popular Council, has exposed a recent incident involving the hoarding and diversion of merchandise at the "Cibeles" MLC store, part of the CIMEX Corporation located in El Vedado, Havana. Garcés revealed that a citizen's complaint brought attention to the arrival of "chicken liver" the previous day, which the store administration claimed was destined for another unit for transfer.
However, upon requesting municipal inspection officials through the mayor, the following discrepancies were uncovered: only four packs of popular cigarettes remained in the sales area without displayed prices, despite 90 packs being in stock; two boxes of Rothmans cigarettes were unavailable for purchase; just four bags of chicken liver were on display, while a refrigerator in the stockroom contained two boxes and two additional packages. There were no invoices or inventory records for the products on the premises.
The official noted that complaints about such illegalities have surged in various stores in recent months. Garcés specified that this occurs "especially with merchandise priced lower than in non-state establishments," indicating that hoarded goods are channeled into these and other illegal activities.
Pedro Lizardo Garcés did not specify in his report what actions were taken against the managers and staff involved in the incident. At the conclusion of his statement, he urged "all administrators" within the Rampa Popular Council to tighten controls and prevent similar occurrences. In the comments section of the report, several users suggested broadening this oversight to other popular councils across Havana and the entire country, as corruption is a widespread issue on the island.
To illustrate the point, one user reported a similar incident involving strong cigarettes at the CUPET located at 23rd and Malecón yesterday. As of the publication of this note, questions remain unanswered regarding the measures taken against those responsible for the corruption exposed by the Rampa Popular Council President.
Addressing Corruption in Havana's MLC Stores
What was the initial sign of corruption at the Cibeles MLC store?
The initial sign was a citizen's complaint about the arrival of "chicken liver," which was reportedly being transferred to another unit, prompting an inspection.
What discrepancies were found during the store inspection?
Inspectors found a significant mismatch between available stock and displayed products, including missing cigarettes and chicken liver without proper invoices or inventory records.
Have similar incidents been reported elsewhere in Havana?
Yes, similar incidents have been reported, including one at the CUPET at 23rd and Malecón, indicating a broader issue within Havana.