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FROM
CUBA
Dollar stores reopen under tight security
HAVANA, May 12 (Ernesto Roque / www.cubanet.org)
- After the government's announcement that
the prices of some products would increase
and the sale of others would be restricted
provoked a general feeling of uncertainty,
long lines of would-be consumers waited
for dollar stores to reopen in the midst
of an increased military and police presence
in the streets.
"Lines are huge; it's as if the world
were coming to an end," said Alicia
Ortiz, of San Miguel del Padrón.
"They didn't open the stores until
after noon because they were taking inventory,
or so they told those of us waiting outside."
People seemed intent on stocking up in
expectation of uncertain times. One woman
said she had bought 13 floor mops. "I
clean floors for people and I have to make
sure I have what I need to work, so I bought
13 mops just in case tomorrow they change
their minds again."
Another woman said: "We have to buy
and store what we need, because nobody knows
what will happen tomorrow."
One man said: "Prices are already
high; to raise them even more is abusive."
Another speculated: "The government
will raise the price on appliances so that
Cubans abroad will have to send more money
than they were sending up to now."
So far, prices have remained stable, although
some had gone up recently: chicken, from
2.25 dollars the kilogram to 2.75; and Pomi
tomato puree from 2 dollars to 2.65.
The general mood is one of uncertainty.
An employee of one of the stores said he
had learned of the new government measures
on TV, and that when he arrived at work
had been told they had to take inventory,
and thus the delay in opening.
Many were leery of government statements
that more measures would be forthcoming
if they became necessary. "Where are
we going to end up," said one man.
On the streets and particularly in front
of the stores, police in uniform and military
in olive drab were in evidence, with additional
police patrols patrolling slowly through
the streets.
But not all were despairing. A few retained
a Panglossian optimism. "This is for
the good of the people," said one man
who also waited.
Versión
original en español
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