Thirty people are scheduled to be tried in Cuba. They are suspected of stealing a large amount of chicken meat. They used the proceeds to buy televisions, laptops and refrigerators. Chicken is one of the products being rationed in the communist country.
Cuban official media reported that the group managed to seize about 133 tons of chicken meat last week. The director of the food distribution company Copmar says that this is equivalent to a month's supply for a medium-sized Cuban province Reuters.
Copmar is the government distribution agency. The agency is responsible for distributing regulated goods and products among the population.
The group includes 30 employees at the distribution center where the robbery occurred. Several security guards hired from the complex were also arrested. The suspects face up to twenty years in prison.
Cuba faces significant economic headwinds. Last year, Economic Affairs Minister Alejandro Gil spoke of the worst economic crisis since the Cuban Revolution of 1959. The poor economic situation is making it increasingly difficult to import food, fuel and medicines.
Cuba is therefore increasingly dependent on food production on the island, but its agricultural production is also faltering. As a result, the amount of produce available through food rationing has been declining for some time. Products are often delivered late.
-
Video Omwonende filmt hoe Cubaans gebouw instort
-
Cuba is te arm om genoeg voedsel te produceren, laat staan te importeren
