Cuba's government has announced that it is starting the rationing food and other basic products. Cuba's Commerce Minister, Betsy Diaz Velazquez, said beans, chicken, eggs, rice, soap and other goods would be rationed. She said Cuba is facing a serious economic crisis. There are many shortages food and other things Cuba. Ms Velazquez said this was because the USA has changed how it is trading Cuba. Velazquez said the U.S. trade embargo means it is very difficult Cuba to buy a lot food. However, many economists say there is a bigger reason the shortages - the cut fuel aid from Venezuela. The crisis Venezuela has led to a two-thirds cut shipments of cheap fuel to Cuba.
Cuba imports about two-thirds its food other countries. A lot this used to come from the USA. Cuba spent $2 billion a year on importing food. The US embargo and the crisis Venezuela means it is difficult for Cuba to import food. The shelves many stores and supermarkets are empty. Many people have to stand long lines when shops get a food delivery. The government has started rationing to stop people hoarding food. If people buy too much one thing and then hoard it, there is less food others. One store in the capital city Havana limited people to just four packets of powdered milk, four packs of sausages and five packets of peas person. One shopper said life was "tough"
