Cuban activist Gretell Salermo has taken to social media to expose illegal charges by state fumigators, who are reportedly demanding up to 1,000 pesos per household for their services in the Havana municipality of Arroyo Naranjo. Salermo shared an audio message she received from Cuba highlighting these practices.
"I just heard an audio from Cuba. The 'state' fumigators are charging a thousand pesos to fumigate a house. That's the rate in Arroyo Naranjo; I'm not sure about other areas," Salermo posted on Facebook, sparking numerous responses that confirmed similar practices across various provinces.
Residents from different parts of the country have reported that this fee has become commonplace, even in areas where authorities claim the fumigation campaigns are supposed to be free.
Community Extorted for Fumigation Costs
Yonimiler del Río Polo, one of the respondents to Salermo's post, claimed the directive comes from "the people's power," indicating that the community is expected to "provide the fuel for the fumigation."
"It's a blatant disrespect," he added.
Other comments highlighted that in San Miguel del Padrón, the fumigation fee can reach up to 2,000 pesos, with some reports of fumigators arriving inebriated.
Escalating Costs and Public Outrage
In Holguín, Santa Clara, and Camagüey, prices range from 1,800 to 2,500 pesos based on various accounts.
"I paid a thousand today; that's like 50 from 15 years ago," joked Enrick Pérez, whereas Dailys Iralis Serrano reported paying 2,500 pesos for her home to be fumigated.
The outrage is palpable: "A lot of smoke and it kills nothing," lamented Soraya Quintero, while Idania Izquierdo described the situation as "profiting from the people's needs."
Health Crisis and Government Inaction
These allegations surface amid a national health crisis with rising cases of chikungunya, dengue, and oropouche, diseases spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The regime's attempts to control these outbreaks through fumigation campaigns are increasingly criticized for their ineffectiveness and corruption.
Furthermore, these reports highlight the chaos within the state sector, contradicting the regime's official narrative of conducting efficient campaigns, which reality exposes as falsehoods.
In many communities, residents claim fumigation only occurs if payment is made or fuel is provided, leaving the poorest families vulnerable to the surge in arbovirus infections.
Understanding the Fumigation Crisis in Cuba
What are the current fumigation charges in Cuba?
Reports indicate that charges for fumigation services in Cuba vary widely, ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 pesos, depending on the region.
Why are Cubans required to pay for fumigation?
Despite claims of free state-sponsored fumigation campaigns, residents are often coerced into paying fees or providing fuel, allegedly due to directives from local authorities.
How are these illegal charges impacting Cuban society?
These charges exacerbate the vulnerability of poorer families, leaving them unprotected against mosquito-borne diseases during a national health crisis.