Queues...a daily ordeal for Cubans

Cubans often stand for hours with the prospect of returning empty-handed.

AFP

Cubans used to wait in line for everything from bread to toothpaste, often standing for hours in the scorching sun with no access to a toilet or access to drinking water, with the prospect of returning empty-handed.

It is a daily ordeal that Cubans have endured during 60 years of communist rule, and is now exacerbated by COVID-19, severe economic recession and tough US sanctions.

"I spent the whole night here to buy something," said shopper Edelvis Miranda, 47, from a Havana market.

It's not easy, it's a huge sacrifice just to be able to eat.”

This housewife took her place in the queue around 1 am, to leave shortly before noon.

“It was worth it, because I found everything," said Miranda, on her way home with two liters of oil, some chicken, minced meat and detergent.

Now I will rest a little and then go back to the queue.”

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