An extensive review of 2,165 economic entities in Ciego de Ávila has uncovered widespread non-compliance with regulations, with violations discovered in 1,337 state and private establishments across all municipalities of the province.
This month-long operation concluded on September 15, as reported by the official newspaper Invasor and later shared by the provincial broadcaster Radio Surco.
The inspection teams identified issues such as overpriced goods and expired food items, posing potential health risks to consumers. Additional findings included businesses lacking digital payment platforms, outdated or missing daily sales records, and non-visible pricing for customers.
Furthermore, some individuals were found selling products without proper legal authorization.
As a result, authorities issued 1,141 fines totaling over six million pesos, conducted 51 forced sales, and temporarily closed 70 establishments. There were also confiscations, and six projects were permanently shut down.
Rafael de Jesús García Fernández, head of the Provincial Inspection Directorate, emphasized that penalties alone are insufficient. He called for subsequent inspections to ensure that violators address the identified irregularities. Follow-up responsibilities lie with municipal mayors and administrative councils.
Continuous Oversight and National Crackdown
The Provincial Inspection Directorate stressed that the findings should not be limited to the inspection period but should lead to ongoing oversight of pricing, fiscal compliance, and the use of digital payment systems.
This operation in Ciego de Ávila is part of a broader national crackdown that the government has intensified in recent months, following the failure of its mandatory banking policy.
In Matanzas, a similar operation from August to September resulted in the closure of 46 establishments and over 1,000 fines amounting to nearly seven million pesos.
Meanwhile, in Sancti Spíritus, inspections resulted in more than 6.3 million pesos being returned to the banking system, though authorities described these outcomes as "modest."
In Guantánamo, several small and medium-sized enterprises were fined, and the Fénix business was shut down for repeatedly refusing digital payments.
Challenges of Mandatory Banking in Cuba
Three years after the Central Bank enforced mandatory banking through Resolution 111/2023, less than four percent of transactions in Cuba are digital, despite numerous fines and closures of establishments nationwide.
In July, the National Assembly approved Agreement X-171, instructing the government and the Central Bank to implement new corrective measures concerning banking, with an assessment of results scheduled for December.
Frequently Asked Questions about Economic Oversight in Ciego de Ávila
What were the main violations found in Ciego de Ávila's economic review?
The primary violations included overpriced goods, expired food items, lack of digital payment platforms, outdated sales records, and non-visible pricing.
Why is the Cuban government intensifying its oversight operations?
The government is intensifying these operations due to the failure of its mandatory banking policy and the need for improved regulation and compliance across economic entities.
What actions have been taken against businesses in Ciego de Ávila?
Authorities issued fines, conducted forced sales, temporarily closed businesses, confiscated goods, and permanently shut down certain projects.