Diaz-Canel rejects lies and commends national solidarity donations

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel described as a lie and invention of those who spread the word that the government of the Caribbean nation is asking for money in view of the difficulties caused by the COVID-19.

On the contrary, said the president, the Cuban population is voluntarily contributing to what he called "solidarity accounts" on his Twitter page.

Díaz-Canel referred to an article published today in the daily newspaper Granma, which reports on the opening in all provinces of the country of accounts in national currency and in convertible peso, increased by citizen donations.  These are bank accounts authorized to receive financial donations from those interested in helping, in supporting the country in the confrontation with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Granma quoted the Vice Minister of Economy and Planning, Mildrey Granadillo, who said: "The opening was due to requests from individuals and non-state entities, willing to contribute voluntarily, with the actions taken by the country to reduce the impact of the pandemic.

The Government, he stressed, did not ask for, but facilitated the way to channel the goodwill of some, since the recipients of such resources are the people themselves.  The official emphasized that such funding will be put to work in terms of local food production.

These accounts are administered by the provincial governments and have already received donations in several territories, most notably the provinces of Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Matanzas, Sancti Spíritus, Holguín and Havana.