July 18, 2005
Price-Gouging in Matanzas
Yuca has an important update on castro's state of affairs in hurricane-hit Matanzas, where a corrupt racket of state price-gougers, affiliated with the castroite government, are sticking it to the battered people by overcharging them for hurricane-relief and basic-necessity supplies. This is the kind of event that people revolt over.
Yuca writes (lightly edited):
Can anyone report on the bullshit that is going on in Matanzas?
When I say 'bullshit,' I mean that certain people in the area who have the keys (so to speak) to government shops are inflating prices for their own financial gain.
I wouldn't call it 'black market,' but it's definitely private enterprise, maybe it is black market?
(It's called 'gouging' - taking unfair advantage of the helpless in their time of need, and it's not normal capitalism -ed)
Here is what is happening: Those who hold positions in which (state) materials and supplies are at their reach are buying all the goods for themselves before they even open the stores. Then, they go out and sell the items at a hefty inflated price while turning a nice profit.
My understanding from what I am told, is that everyone is involved, including the chief of police in the area whom people have complained to.
I have a cousin in the area who is a "Cabron" who for many years has hustled on the streets in order to provide for his family by trading bills. If anything goes down in Matanzas, this kid will know, and he just told me about this scam as well.
He even went as far as to tell me that he knows some of these people, that they are doing this because supplies are not getting to Matanzas so quickly and they know it, so they take advantage of the fact and gobble it all up to turn a profit.
Although before this week I had never heard of that, my sources tell me it is nothing new, it happens all the time, they somehow know how long supplies of any kind will take to reach Matanzas and when they see the oppurtunity, they take advantage of it.
Posted by Mora at July 18, 2005 04:16 PM
Comments
Does anybody know if any of the dams such as those on the Bayamo, Guisa, Yara? rivers ruptured.
I am preparing a presentation on ecology of the Cauto Basin, with special emphasis on gallery forests and any info would help.
take care and be well
Larry Daley
daleyl@peak.org
Posted by: Larry Daley at July 18, 2005 04:23 PM
You know,I am impartial,I see things for what they are,no matter which side it's coming from,I can see valid points being made from each side without picking a side to lean on,I rather stay in the middle,if you dont mind.
The reason I say such a thing is simnple,having countless family members in Cuba and listening to their views on things,I came to the conclusion it is better for me "personally" to stay in the middle of things,because on one side I have family members who support the revolution and on the other side I have kin who do not support the revolution.
Hey, but one thing they do have in common is the fact they all live equally fucked up! lol
It is a really hard, heart wrenching reality I have to live with everyday,unless you walk in my shoes for one day,you cannot truly understand the impact this seperation of ideas and thoughts coming from my family in Cuba,has on me.
But,I will never cover up facts that is reported to me,that would be choosing a side and would contradict everything I say.
Duele hasta los cojones! excuse me ladies.
Posted by: YUCA at July 18, 2005 04:28 PM
What is Matanzas named after? Is it one of those Spanish Reconquista-related names, like Matamoros is? I'm guessing something had to be kilt before someone would name a place "Matanzas."
Posted by: Murel Bailey at July 18, 2005 05:55 PM
Just keep doing what you are doing, Yuca, it's valuable to all of us.
Posted by: A.M. Mora y Leon at July 18, 2005 05:55 PM
Muriel,
They killed a lot of Indians in the place, so they called it Matanzas. Then, they repeated in Saint Agustin, Florida, and they named the fort they built Fort Matanzas.
Posted by: CB at July 19, 2005 10:14 PM