Violations of pricing regulations or failing to comply with measures imposed by the Cuban government have resulted in fines of up to 15,000 Cuban pesos (CUP) at agricultural fairs in the city of Santa Clara. The Municipal Inspection Directorate of this Villa Clara territory reported that, along with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, they conduct weekly inspections at these fairs, issuing fines of 4,000 CUP, 7,500 CUP, 8,000 CUP, and 15,000 CUP for detected violations.
In a post on their Facebook profile, the agency also noted the use of additional measures such as "forced sales, project cancellations, and temporary closures of establishments.” A list provided by the entity for last Sunday highlights the ongoing governmental crackdown on the private sector.
For instance, at the La Vigía fair, five private workers were fined for price violations and issues with their payment methods. Similarly, in the José Martí district, a self-employed worker was found not to have filed a sworn declaration, in addition to missing items in the dispatch of several products to buyers. Additionally, several vendors were found without the proper permits.
At points in Sandino, Calle J, and Condado, both non-state workers and some Credit and Service Cooperatives (CSS) were fined, primarily for weight and pricing violations of their products. The local government has taken these infractions seriously; earlier this month, several vendors at the Placetas fair were forced to sell their goods under duress.
The official Inspección Villa Clara Facebook page reported that all vendors who violated pricing regulations were fined according to Decree 30 of 2021, with fines amounting to 8,000 CUP. Inspectors in Santa Clara detected violations across all Popular Councils within the Villa Clara demarcation, leading to fines and forced sales.
Common Violations and Fines
Among the measures taken by Santa Clara inspectors were: seven fines for misinformation, ten fines for consumer deception or price alteration, seven fines for lacking cost sheets, one fine for product retention, and 24 fines for applying abusive prices.
Between August 17 and 23, the Ministry of Finance and Prices (MFP) of Cuba closed businesses and revoked work projects for 368 "non-state actors.” Within just one week, the government ordered the closure of 171 establishments and the termination of 197 private entrepreneurs' work projects, in addition to 58 product seizures and 773 forced sales due to "detected violations."
The implementation of Resolution 225/2024 by the Ministry of Finance and Prices in early July, which set retail prices for items such as cut chicken, edible oils (excluding olive oil), powdered milk, pasta, sausages, and powdered detergent, has triggered control operations across the country to detect price violations and sanction offenders. Fines for private businesses not complying with this measure could exceed 8,000 pesos, stated Finance and Prices Minister Vladimir Regueiro Ale.
FAQs on Agricultural Fair Fines in Santa Clara
Here we address some frequently asked questions about the fines imposed in Santa Clara's agricultural fairs, providing clarity on the government's measures and their impact on the private sector.
What are the reasons for fines at Santa Clara's agricultural fairs?
Fines are imposed for violations such as pricing discrepancies, failure to comply with government regulations, lack of proper permits, and deceptive practices.
How frequently are inspections conducted at these fairs?
Inspections by the Municipal Inspection Directorate and the Ministry of Agriculture representatives are conducted weekly at these agricultural fairs.
What additional measures are taken besides imposing fines?
Additional measures include forced sales of merchandise, project cancellations, and temporary closures of establishments.
What is the impact of Resolution 225/2024?
Resolution 225/2024 sets retail prices for various essential goods and has led to increased inspections and fines for price violations across the country.