Prashad posted:Driving from Havana to Valadero I saw many farms. The Cuban pointed out that anyone can become a farmer. That state provides the land and cows to you and pay you a monthly salary to you to take care of the cows. When the cows have grown up then the state takes them away and gives you another set of calves to look after. If anyone steals those cows that belongs to the state then it is 5 years in prison if they are caught. The person who buys the stolen beef from you also gets 5 years in jail if caught.
Cuba has 11 million people. Its so desperate for food that they even buy it from the "evil Americans".
Cubans steal the animals because they are hungry. They cannot afford to buy food in the private stores which do not take regular Cuban pesos. The gov't stores make the super markets in Guyana in the late 70s look full.
Btw your tour guide is a government mole. Only connected people get those jobs. His role is to recite Cuban gov't lies.
Ask them what is the salary that the average Cuban gets and dont roll over with laughter when you hear it. Clue: most likely you have more cash in your wallet than most Cubans earn in a month, and I assume that you use debit cards, so dont walk around with large amounts of cash.