The Ministry of the Interior claims that this is due, among other causes, to the “growing flow of travelers”
14ymedio, Havana, September 16, 2025 — During Monday’s broadcast of the program Mesa Redonda, the authorities acknowledged that in Cuba, drug consumption is expanding and diversifying, especially towards synthetic substances, which are “cheaper and less risky for the trafficker.” And among them el químico -the “chemical”- remains the king of narcotics on the island.
Beyond the concrete data demonstrating a worrying spread of drugs, the television program was a reiteration of the usual arguments: the blame is outside, mainly on the U.S., and the country is a passive victim of external forces that have managed to infiltrate the national territory. Juan Carlos Poey Guerra, head of the Anti-Drug Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior, stated that the “main effects” on the country are due to the “increasing flow of travelers and the settlement of Cubans in highly complex countries that have drug trafficking and organized crime.”
Regarding the data, Poey stated that more than 6,000 people have been prosecuted, and there have been 1,500 seizures with 81 kilograms of confiscated drugs, which Cubadebate described as “a very high volume of potential consumption.” in addition, they have confiscated five firearms, 11,000 plants and 23,000 seeds -allegedly of marijuana- and 18 million pesos in different currencies.
A speedboat carrying 36.8 kg of cocaine was also intercepted off the coast, a fact that Poey used to highlight the work of the Ministry: “For other countries, the volume is insignificant. For us any volume is important.”
Another pillar of the speech was, as usual, the emphasis on the responsibility of the U.S. for the arrival of drugs on the island. According to Poey, who further described the country’s current military presence in the Caribbean as a risk to national sovereignty and regional stability, the U.S. is the world’s largest consumer of drugs, and Cuba is on the drug route to its borders.
However, he himself acknowledged at another time that the island “is not a country producing, storing or transiting drugs to third countries.” He also overlooked the fact that, although the U.S. has always been a great consumer, it was not until a few years ago that the presence of drugs began to grow in Cuba to the point where even the official press, previously silent on the subject, now considers it an undeniable reality.
Poey remarked that ‘el químico’ is the narcotic “of greatest impact in our society at present,” something he associated with the rise of synthetic drugs
Poey remarked that ‘el químico‘ is the narcotic “of greatest impact in our society at present,” something he associated with the rise of synthetic drugs made in laboratories, which are “a big and lucrative business. There is less money invested, they get it faster and sell it.” Natural drugs, like marijuana, he said, take longer to produce.
Despite this, he continued, many programs have been carried out to prevent and detect consumption, starting with the national campaign against drug trafficking, “which has run monthly throughout the country since January, with operations extended in the capital because of its complexity.”
Although he did not mention it in its report, Cuba has also made sure that the severe penalties it imposes on drug traffickers and users are exemplary. Both Cuban Television and the official press have devoted numerous reports in recent months to exposing drug-related trials, and Cubans have noticed this. Communities, said Poey, “demand, in the broad sense, more public judgment and more prosecution.”
On the positive side, he said, “We can officially certify that there is no fentanyl in our country, “although the presence of other substances leaves its mark on consumers. A month ago, Poey himself stated on Cuban Television that 45 types of cannabinoids can be found on the island, of the 250 that circulate globally. Some of them are up to 50 times more potent than heroin.
Translated by Regina Anavy
____________
COLLABORATE WITH OUR WORK: The 14ymedio team is committed to practicing serious journalism that reflects Cuba’s reality in all its depth. Thank you for joining us on this long journey. We invite you to continue supporting us by becoming a member of 14ymedio now. Together we can continue transforming journalism in Cuba.