By Francisco Acevedo
HAVANA TIMES – Talking about private companies in Cuba was a taboo subject for decades because it was diametrically opposed to the essence of communism, where the State regulated everything and could satisfy the needs of the population.
Not even the Soviet Union with all its natural resources truly achieved that, but on this side of the world, we lived subsidized by them, who preferred to have a little less for their people in order to maintain a red bastion in the face of the United States.
The fall of the Socialist Bloc changed everything, and when Cuba had to start fending for itself, it became evident that this economic system was not viable.
Nevertheless, it took decades for the appearance of private businesses, the current Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to be tolerated, thanks to which the country stays afloat, and I dare say even postpones a social explosion.
Yes, because for months now, the Government of our dear Miguel Diaz-Canel hasn’t been selling a package of chicken to the population in the so-called modules that are distributed monthly, and they keep coming more and more reduced.
If originally, they included floorcloths, razors, deodorant, and soap, they have recently been reduced to a small package of sausages, two tubes of mincemeat, a bottle of oil, and two packets of detergent, and in some months, some of these products have also been missing.
How does the Cuban population survive? By paying for the chicken imported by the MSMEs at very high prices because apparently, the last vestige of shame left to the Communist Party of Cuba is selling at a big markup.
As I have said on other occasions, the majority of MSMEs are simple resellers, who mainly buy in the United States at low prices and then stick it to the average Cuban, who now without the protection given by the State have no choice but to
