There have been recent cases of popular discontent in Cuba over the lack of basic food and electricity. In this context, citizens are advised to exercise extra caution at large gatherings and demonstrations.

Cuba is going through its worst economic crisis in three decades. For the first time in its history, the country has asked for assistance from the UN-led World Food Programme. This is an unprecedented step.

The request is for supplies of powdered milk for children under seven, but Cuba is also facing shortages of fuel and medicines. WPF management confirmed to Spanish news agency Efe that Cuba has asked them to continue aid in the form of a supply of 1 kilogram of powdered milk per month for children under seven. According to the organisation, deliveries have already started.

Basic foodstuffs are supplied to the Cuban population on the basis of ration cards. This system was introduced in 1962 under Fidel Castro at a time when the United States imposed sanctions on Cuba that exacerbated food shortages. However, this system has its pitfalls, which become apparent in times of crisis, when shortages often occur.

Although the government blames the United States, whose sanctions against Cuba are still in force, for the serious economic situation, which is the worst in three decades. Critics, however, say that the Cuban Government and its mismanagement are to blame.

Although Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca admitted last year that Cuba was lagging behind in the process of becoming more self-sufficient, he blamed the lack of progress on Cuban workers, who he said lacked a "culture of productivity". "It takes work to produce food. We all expect them to send us food, but we don't do anything to produce it," he was quoted as saying last July.

Since then, shortages of milk and other foodstuffs have worsened. Earlier this month, Commerce Secretary Betsy Díaz warned that there would be a short supply of powdered milk for children. At the time, she said the government was "working every day to find alternatives."

In general, basic rules of personal safety should be followed and conflict situations avoided. In case of emergency, citizens of the Slovak Republic can contact the emergency mobile phone number of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Havana: +5352630584 or the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic: +421 2 5978 5978. We also recommend that Slovak citizens traveling abroad use a voluntary registration service on the Ministry's website or via the Svetobežka mobile app.

Source:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Press releases 
- List News