The Cuban regime dismantled a clandestine pharmacy operating in the municipality of Cumanayagua, Cienfuegos province, where controlled medications were being sold.
According to the officialist profile Las Cosas de Fernanda, police forces carried out an operation in which they discovered a large quantity of drugs in a home allegedly used for illegal sale.
Among the products seized were domestically produced medications, some with hallucinogenic properties, whose use and distribution are regulated by current legislation and can only be sold with a medical prescription.
The official profile claimed that the products were being sold at high prices, an argument used to justify the police action. However, it failed to mention that the proliferation of such establishments is a response to the growing demand generated by the chronic shortages in state pharmacies.
"The war is set to zero tolerance," the publication stated, referring to the regime's strategy against the illegal sale and consumption of medication and substances deemed as drugs.
In the Cuban context, where medications are scarce in state pharmacies, informal distribution networks have proliferated to fill that gap, often operating outside the law and at prices inaccessible to most.
Since the beginning of 2025, Cuban authorities have intensified a national campaign against the illegal sale of medications, conducting multiple police operations throughout the country.
In February, a clandestine stockpile of medications was dismantled in Manzanillo, Granma province. The residence contained large quantities of antibiotics, pain relievers, surgical supplies, syringes, controlled medications, gloves, catheters, and IV fluids, all without legal documentation.
A month later, a young man was captured in plain sight in Old Havana while selling medications such as amoxicillin, enalapril, paracetamol, permethrin, and globetazol.
The operation, led by forces from the Ministry of the Interior, was presented as part of the "zero tolerance" policy, although it did not address the origin of the drugs or the systemic shortage that drives this informal trade.
That same month, another operation in Holguín resulted in the arrest of a citizen in possession of controlled medications, including psychotropics such as amitriptyline and trifluoperazine, products whose circulation is regulated due to their effects similar to narcotic substances.
In that case, the authorities also linked the seizure to the fight against drug trafficking, highlighting the addictive potential of the products being marketed.
Finally, recently in Pinar del Río, a nurse from the provincial hospital was arrested along with an accomplice, after being caught with stolen medications and medical supplies from the health center.
Among the seized products were ampoules, blisters, syringes, and creams used in hospital treatments. The case raised public questions about how many patients were deprived of medical care due to the systematic diversion of health resources.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Drug Crisis and Repression in Cuba
Why did the Cuban regime dismantle a clandestine pharmacy in Cienfuegos?
The Cuban regime dismantled an illegal pharmacy in Cumanayagua, Cienfuegos, due to the illegal sale of controlled medications. This action is part of the government's strategy against the illegal sale and consumption of medications, although this proliferation also responds to the chronic shortages in state pharmacies.
How has the shortage of medications in Cuba worsened?
The shortage of medications in Cuba has worsened with over 70% of essential drugs unavailable or in low supply. This deficit severely impacts patients with chronic illnesses and has driven many to turn to the black market, where prices are unaffordable for most of the population.
What has been the Cuban government's response to the medication crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented a self-financing scheme for the Public Health sector and BioCubaFarma, and has extended the tariff exemption for travelers importing medications. However, these measures have not been sufficient to resolve the crisis, which continues to affect the population.
Why do informal drug distribution networks persist in Cuba?
Informal networks for distributing medications persist in Cuba due to the chronic shortages in state pharmacies. These networks address the lack of medications, often operating outside the law and at high prices, which reflects a failure of the state system to ensure access to essential medicines.
How does government repression affect informal medicine vendors?
Government repression affects informal vendors through arrests and penalties, as part of the "zero tolerance" policy towards the illegal trade of medications. However, this repression does not address the root causes of shortages and limits the options available to the population for accessing essential treatments.
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