The province of Las Tunas has inaugurated Cuba's first Provincial Drug Observatory this past Friday, coinciding with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This development occurs as experts have disclosed that drug consumption on the island has surged by over 200% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
During the opening conference, Dr. Alejandro Mestre Barroso, a first-degree specialist in Toxicology, presented data that starkly contrasts with the official narrative of a country that has long downplayed its drug issues.
"In Cuba, the post-pandemic rise in consumption has been dramatic, with an increase exceeding 200% when compared to pre-pandemic times. In 2024, the National Center of Toxicology reported 600 cases, with over 90% involving synthetic drugs. This is just the tip of the iceberg," warned Mestre, as cited by the official newspaper 26.
Addressing the Gaps in National Drug Monitoring
The Las Tunas Observatory was established to fill a void identified by the specialist within the National Drug Observatory, inaugurated on July 4, 2025, under the Ministry of Justice. Despite the Cuban government's declared war on drug trafficking, the national body lacks a sectorial territorial network, precisely where the problem is most concentrated.
"The observatory didn't come out of nowhere; it is the culmination of a process initiated in December 2023 when a group from Las Tunas specialized in Toxicology at the National Center of Toxicology in Havana. For nearly 40 years, the province had no specialists in this field," explained Dr. Mestre.
Unveiling the Drug Epidemic in Las Tunas
Epidemiological studies in Las Tunas reveal that the most prevalent drugs are synthetic cannabinoids, especially the variant known as "papelito." Between 2024 and 2025, there was an 81.4% increase in cases, though experts clarify this partly reflects higher help-seeking behavior rather than a proportional rise in consumption.
The data on those affected dispel several myths. "The age group with the highest consumption falls between 14 and 25 years, although cases of use beginning at age 8 have been recorded," noted Mestre Barroso.
There has also been a noticeable rise in female consumption, including among pregnant addicts. The specialist emphasized that "nearly 50% of the families were functional, with well-defined norms and university-educated parents," challenging the notion that addiction only occurs in dysfunctional environments.
National Context and the Broader Drug Crisis
The national context exacerbates the situation. Cuba is home to at least 40 variants of synthetic cannabinoids out of 245 identified worldwide.
The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory documented a 115% increase in incidents of drug production, sale, and consumption in 2025 compared to 2024. Incidents in Guantánamo, where authorities confirmed drug use within schools, and in Cienfuegos, where an entire family was dismantled for trafficking synthetic cannabinoids on school notebook paper, highlight the problem's spread across the country.
The new observatory in Las Tunas will operate with three work networks—early warning, research, and information—and plans to publish monthly, semi-annual, and annual reports on an official website, providing the public and media with updated data on a crisis that, according to regime specialists, is only beginning to surface.
Understanding the Drug Crisis in Cuba
What is the significance of the Provincial Drug Observatory in Las Tunas?
The Provincial Drug Observatory in Las Tunas is significant as it fills a critical gap in drug monitoring, providing localized insights and data in a region where the national observatory lacks reach.
Why has drug consumption increased in Cuba post-pandemic?
The increase in drug consumption in Cuba post-pandemic can be attributed to a variety of factors, including increased availability of synthetic drugs and the socio-economic challenges exacerbated by the pandemic.
What types of drugs are most prevalent in Las Tunas?
In Las Tunas, synthetic cannabinoids are the most prevalent drugs, with the variant known as "papelito" being particularly common.
How does the new observatory plan to keep the public informed?
The new observatory plans to keep the public informed through monthly, semi-annual, and annual reports available on an official website, offering updated data on the drug crisis.