Writing CubitaNOW ~ Monday, May 29, 2023
Esteban Lazo Hernández, the recently appointed president of Cuba’s National Assembly, told a parliamentary session that Cubans are “used to eating imported products” and not producing on the island.
Laso Hernandez told a personal story to “illustrate” his point, promising that he was surprised to learn that wheat could be grown in Cuba, only to discover that it had been banned on the island by the then Spanish king in the 19th century.
According to the Cuban leader, wheat has not been cultivated since then, which is “the reason it is not being done today.”
Lasso concluded his statements by asserting that colonialism was to blame for everything.
According to President Esteban Lazo @Cuban AssemblyCurrent bread shortage #Cuba It was the fault of Spanish colonialism. 🙄The #Cuba state has failed#Worst#Communism is misery#Cuba #Spain pic.twitter.com/R0lboOmcKI
— Liborio (@yosoyliborio) May 28, 2023
Cubans commented on the video on social media and sparked controversy.
“They no longer find out what to find. Blame and responsibility for economic disasters and their consequences always lie with others!” said one internet user.
One user noted that the historical data is true, and the unfortunate thing is that he is using it to justify a situation in Cuba that is the total responsibility of the government in power.
“Though it sounds fictional, unfortunately, the information he is giving is real. Now, it is far from being the cause of flour shortage today. Taking a story as fact, it adds another degree to the incompetence and behavior of decision makers in this country,” warned a citizen.
“How unfortunate colonialism after 59 has left us in deep distress. America’s 5th largest economy and the world’s 20th economy, after some 64 years we are the Burundi of the West!” said another Cuban.
“Only in Cuba can a backlash like that take that level. One laughs, but it’s so sad that this is happening because we’re going to bequeath the country’s disaster to our children,” lamented another.
The previous week’s National Assembly session was the perfect moment for Cuban leaders to air their arguments and half-truths.
For example, “Deputy Prime Minister and head of Cuba’s Department of Economy and Planning, Alejandro Gil Fernandez, acknowledged that the communist regime in Havana had made “mistakes” and had “stumbled” amid a suffocating crisis. “He expressed confidence in emerging from the abyss and meeting government expectations.”
“We’re on track, with all the mistakes we’ve made, with all the problems we have, the discontent, the chaos of unresolved issues, but we have the opportunity to carry out the economic plan for this year,” the senior official told Cuban delegates gathered in Havana.