Havana, August 4 (RHC)-- A national plan to confront illegalities, crimes and acts of corruption is underway in Cuba as of Monday, to stop these scourges that have resurfaced as a result of shortages amid the battle against the epidemic, and the reinforcement of the US blockade.

Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz told the Mesa Redonda national TV program that the Communist Party leader Raul Castro and the country´s top leadership approved the Plan at a meeting of the Council of Ministers held last Friday.

The Plan foresees the participation of law enforcement agencies, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, mass organizations at the local level in combating all unscrupulous manifestations in retail stores.

Among the crimes identified are buying for hoarding and selling later much-needed food or hygiene items doubling or tripling their original prices, obstructing cues in favor of a few buyers, the sale of entrance tickets to the stores, and store employees tipping in advance hoarders on the availability of products, among others.

The Plan responds to the anger many people have voiced on these practices which deprive ordinary citizens of the scarce products that Cuban authorities procure 

The Prime Minister noted that people involved in such illegal practices would be confronted with persuasion at first, and if they insist on their behavior, stricter measures will be used.

He noted that all measures implemented will be in strict compliance with the law and that they will be applied with the thoroughness and steadiness that leads to the results that the people demand.