Havana, April 4th. - The Cuban Government ensures the importation of essential food items, despite the restrictions imposed by the United States, stated today Oscar Pérez-Oliva, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (Mincex).
Speaking on the audiovisual program "Desde La Presidencia," hosted by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Pérez-Oliva detailed that the island's basic basket of goods heavily relies on imported products, and this process still feels the effects of post-pandemic Covid-19 recovery.
Additionally, the Caribbean nation faces over 240 economic measures imposed by Washington, as well as inclusion in the unilateral list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Even under these challenging conditions, the deputy minister outlined that the country maintains the availability of key products such as rice until June, and wheat for bread production is contracted for April, May, and part of June.
Milk for children is also ensured for April and May, with efforts underway to secure distribution in June. Pérez-Oliva advanced that Mincex and relevant institutions are focused on ensuring that products for the coming months also reach consumers.
The official stressed the need for improved coordination among different agencies involved in the distribution process, as well as timeliness in providing information to communicate the situation from a general to a local level.
In turn, the Cuban President denounced that the limitations are imposed by the United States Government, despite the Cuban people maintaining a close relationship with the US agri-food sector, which is willing to collaborate, but blockade laws prevent it.
Díaz-Canel condemned all media manipulation regarding the issues the country faces today, expressing that the shortcomings highlighted in "Desde La Presidencia" are not intended to upset the population or create further discomfort but to provide timely and transparent information about the most pressing issues in society.
HOW DOES THE BLOCKADE AFFECT THE PURCHASE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE BASIC BASKET?
In his intervention, the First Deputy Minister of Mincex emphasized the negative implications of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade on the basic basket.
For example, last year, five foreign banks unexpectedly refused to process transactions related to food purchases, resulting in delays of between 40 and 105 days before products could be shipped to Cuba.
He clarified that food purchases in the United States are made under disadvantageous and highly uncertain conditions because they are subject to specific authorizations from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and these permits are not reliable, necessitating the need for alternative options.
From the perspective of commercial operations with the northern nation, he detailed that it is impossible to apply international market terms for goods, as contracts require upfront payment, and ships transporting them to Cuban ports must return empty.
He also added that Cuba attempted to purchase products in third countries through US subsidiary companies but was denied that possibility. Additionally, shifting markets increases prices for freight and transportation time.
In 2023 alone, Havana had to pay an additional $19 million for this concept, representing four months of chicken distribution.
The high prices of products in the international market and the country's lack of access to international financial organizations also influence basket distribution.
He detailed that recently the country had 11 ships loaded with food in its ports that could not begin unloading due to lack of financing for payment.
Pérez-Oliva expressed gratitude for the solidarity of friendly governments such as Russia, China, Vietnam, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which collaborated by providing donations or offering advantageous commercial conditions.