My neighborhood used to be almost completely quiet. Now, at any moment, they set fire to the garbage, smoke wanders around without difficulty, they pour the rubble into the holes in the streets, they play music at full volume…
Even in the midst of so much trouble, the concert breaks the silence of the night and makes the wait less tedious for those desperate for the return of light in times of blackout.
Another situation in the neighborhood is the daily announcement of the delegate named Bárbaro, who doesn’t commit barbarities, but loudly announces that the bread has been brought, there are sweet potatoes in the market, the milk will arrive later…; the prices? that’s another story.
People face the vicissitudes of life, but an evildoer slips through their fingers, sneaking into the neighborhood. Criminals are as emboldened as they are confident, because no one can take justice into their own hands. Nor is it convenient to sit idly by, for the tranquility of the citizens is in danger.
You have to sleep with one eye closed and the other on guard. Several of my neighbors have had their motorcycles stolen, their tools, their liquefied gas canisters, the bicycle of the youngest child in the house, and even the meat in the refrigerator.
These are not fictions, but real facts, because it is also true that there has been an increase in criminal activity in government offices and institutions. A recent report analyzed by trade unionists from Ciego de Avila shows that robbery with violence, theft in general, and theft and slaughter of livestock represent 86.6% of all cases.
The economic impact of more than 5 million pesos is not the most alarming aspect. What is worrying is the neglect of preventive measures. The aforementioned document discusses embezzlement, diversion of resources, price violations, illegal economic activities, and corruption, among others, due to the failure of the monitoring and protection system, the inadequate protection of workers, and the indolence of some officials and managers.
According to the assessment of the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic of Cuba, the greatest incidents are concentrated in such sensitive sectors in the provision of services as commerce, education, health and transportation, due to deficiencies in internal control.
Apparently, it is not only my neighborhood that is unsettled.
