Guantanamo.- Cuba’s Minister of the Food Industry, Alberto López, denounced that the intensified US blockade against the island is preventing the acquisition of fuel for the country’s logistics chain, a situation that affects the collection and delivery of basic products. The official described this as an act of extreme cruelty that impacts the most vulnerable sectors of Cuban society.
The lack of gasoline and diesel, López explained, has resulted in more than 117,000 children not receiving their daily milk ration, as collection is only possible in 56 municipalities. This limitation forces the distribution of local production only within those territories, preventing its transport to the rest of the country.
Likewise, the head of the aforementioned ministry pointed out that due to the same fuel shortage, imported powdered milk arriving at the port of Mariel is experiencing delays, affecting 36,000 pregnant women and more than 7,000 children with chronic illnesses, who should receive this food at the beginning of each month, he emphasized.
Cuba is currently facing a severe energy crisis due to the intensification of the US embargo, which prevents fuel imports and causes a deficit of more than 1,400 megawatts.
The energy crisis facing Cuba is also impacting the supply of meat destined for healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and priority patients. Because animal slaughter takes place in municipalities and the majority of consumption is concentrated in provincial capitals, the fuel shortage makes it impossible to ensure the stability of these deliveries.
Furthermore, the official stated that nearly five million citizens lack daily bread due to a flour shortage. This problem persists even though payments to suppliers have already been made, because US sanctions prevent the use of ships to transport the raw materials.
López Díaz emphasized that the island nation has the financial resources to cover these costs, refuting claims of non-payment. Currently, the country has paid shipments in two foreign nations that have not yet been transported. “This payment refutes the enemies’ claim that we want the products for free,” he pointed out.
In Holguín, together with the First Secretary of the Party, @QueipoRuiz and the Governor, we awarded the “Fidel Centennial” Plaque to the “Numa” Food Production and Distribution Company of Holguín.
Recently, Francisco Pichón, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Cuba, stated: “I am aware that some 170 containers of essential humanitarian goods that have already arrived in Cuba, representing approximately $6.3 million, are not reaching the intended recipients due to fuel shortages,” Pichón declared at the daily press briefing of UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
Faced with these external difficulties, Alberto López highlighted the determination of the more than 70,000 employees in the sector, who are seeking alternatives to maintain food production.
As a sign of this commitment, the Numa Food Production and Distribution Company of Holguín was recognized by receiving the commemorative plaque for the Centenary of Fidel’s Birth, an exclusive distinction awarded only to the ten most outstanding collectives in the entire sector nationwide.
IMAGE CREDIT: The energy crisis facing Cuba is also impacting the supply of meat destined for healthcare centers, nursing homes, and priority patients. Photo: @MincinCuba
[ SOURCE: teleSUR ]
