Transit police in Baracoa, located in the Guantánamo province, apprehended a man transporting a substantial 28 quintals of clean coffee using a rented vehicle. This incident was reported by the pro-government Facebook page “Guantánamo y su Verdad” on Sunday.
The individual, a resident of Marianao in Havana, was allegedly attempting to deliver the coffee to the capital. Photographs circulating online show the suspect—his face obscured—standing beside numerous sacks stacked against a wall, a gray Hyundai Accent, and the car's trunk open revealing the contents.
To put this into perspective, 28 quintals is equivalent to 2,800 pounds of clean coffee. With the informal market in Guantánamo pricing coffee at approximately 700 Cuban pesos per pound, the coffee's potential value could reach nearly two million Cuban pesos.
The man is currently under investigation for potential speculation and hoarding. Authorities are working to trace the coffee's origin, suspecting it might have been purchased locally in Baracoa, and to determine if any contractual or state control mechanisms were bypassed or if producers failed to meet delivery commitments.
The Rented Car Factor
The involvement of a rented car adds another layer to the investigation. If it is confirmed that the vehicle was leased from Transtur for illegal activities, the renter could face contractual penalties, lose indemnity coverage, and incur additional charges for damages.
Export vs. Domestic Scarcity
Baracoa is a major coffee-producing region in Cuba. In the first quarter of 2026, Guantánamo exported around 370 tons of goods, including coffee, valued at over 72 million Cuban pesos. Despite these exports, local availability remains dire: Cuba requires approximately 24,000 tons annually to satisfy domestic demand but managed to produce only 2,887 tons in the first half of 2025, a mere 23.7% of the goal.
This stark contrast between export and scarcity fuels an active informal market and increasingly frequent police operations. In late April, authorities confiscated over 270 coffee sacks from a Santiago de Cuba residence, and days earlier, more than 100 sacks were seized hidden among charcoal in a truck headed to Las Tunas. The pattern is consistent: coffee moves from eastern production zones to Havana or other provinces for sale at prices far exceeding official rates.
The Cuban Penal Code, effective since 2022, imposes sentences of six months to two years for hoarding, while speculation can lead to one to three years of imprisonment.
The 2026-2027 coffee harvest in Guantánamo began with a target of collecting 294,568 cans across eight municipalities, following a previous effort deemed "very low" by authorities.
Understanding Coffee Transport Challenges in Cuba
What is the significance of the coffee load seized in Baracoa?
The coffee load seized in Baracoa highlights the ongoing issues of coffee scarcity and the thriving informal market in Cuba. With a potential value of nearly two million Cuban pesos, it underscores the economic challenges and illegal activities surrounding coffee distribution.
How does the use of a rented car affect the case?
The use of a rented car complicates the case as it suggests an attempt to evade detection. If the vehicle was leased from Transtur for illegal purposes, the renter faces potential penalties, including loss of indemnity and additional charges.
Why is there a contradiction between coffee export and local scarcity in Cuba?
The contradiction arises from the government's focus on exporting coffee to earn foreign currency while domestic production fails to meet local demand. This policy creates shortages, driving up prices and contributing to the underground market.