A Cuban woman, known on TikTok as @zol.arias, recently shared a video capturing the lengthy queue of people waiting to purchase rationed bread at a store located at the intersection of Soledad and Neptuno streets in Havana. "The line literally stretched for an entire block, with a crowd of people hoping to buy bread. I decided to go home, but eventually had to return, and even by 9 PM, I hadn't bought any bread. Unbelievable, but true. Each person gets one loaf per day. The queue is still long, it's chilly and windy, but of course, we got our two sad little loaves. They will at least serve for breakfast. Today, they gave us double since on the day the power was out, no bread was made. Now we're heading home," she narrated in the video.
The video has sparked numerous reactions on social media, drawing surprise, outrage, and solidarity from users across various countries. Some questioned whether it's permissible to record and share such situations in Cuba. "Can you record and publish such things in Cuba?" one user asked, to which others replied that nothing negative was being said, so the video's creator shouldn't face any issues.
Others compared the crisis to experiences in Venezuela, lamenting the difficulty of accessing basic foodstuffs in Cuba. "If you haven't lived it, you can't understand it. It reminded me of when I went through this in Venezuela," commented a user. Some even offered assistance, asking if it's possible to send food from other countries.
This scenario of long lines for bread is part of a broader wheat flour supply crisis that has plagued the island in recent months. In early March, a ship carrying 24,000 tons of wheat arrived at Havana's port to ensure rationed bread production through the end of the month. Yet, distribution remains inadequate, with many bakeries reporting complete shutdowns due to the lack of raw materials.
While the regime claims to be securing more supplies, the Cuban populace continues to face daily struggles to access such a fundamental food item as bread. In Matanzas, the crisis has forced a bakery to offer croquettes and tostones as alternative food options for the community, highlighting the severe scarcity of resources.
Understanding the Bread Crisis in Cuba
Why are there long lines for bread in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing a wheat flour supply crisis, resulting in inadequate production and distribution of bread. Many bakeries have had to halt operations due to a lack of raw materials.
Is it legal to record and share videos of long bread lines in Cuba?
While there are no explicit laws forbidding such recordings, the Cuban government may not favorably view the sharing of content that portrays shortages or crises. However, as long as nothing negative is explicitly stated, individuals might not face repercussions.
How are people in Matanzas coping with the bread shortage?
In Matanzas, some bakeries have started offering croquettes and tostones as alternative food options due to the lack of bread, showcasing the extreme scarcity of essential supplies in the region.