Cuba announces monthly food rations for 880,000 vulnerable citizens

The Cuban government has announced a new monthly food distribution plan targeting over 880,000 citizens identified as most vulnerable. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz detailed the measure during the state program ‘Desde la Presidencia’, stating that each beneficiary will receive five pounds of rice, one pound of sugar, and one pound of grains per month.

This initiative marks a shift from universal subsidies to a targeted social protection model. The selection process involved community-level, door-to-door assessments and the use of eight specific profiles developed by experts and academics to identify those in greatest need. The program is scheduled to continue on a monthly basis until January.

Official figures regarding vulnerability have risen significantly, with Marrero reporting a surge from 310,000 vulnerable individuals in July 2025 to over 876,000 a year later. This targeted assistance is part of the ‘176 Economic and Social Transformations’ package approved by the National Assembly. Individuals who believe they meet the criteria but are not listed can apply for inclusion via the digital platform ‘Soberanía’.