The Cuban government revokes import licenses from 24 private companies.

The Cuban government revoked the import license from nearly one-third of private businesses that were allowed to do so.

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz informed the deputies of the National Assembly of the People's Power that "it was decided to revoke this authorization from 24 out of the 73 companies approved for importing, due to low activity levels and poor performance."

Marrero emphasized that the State is the one that should exercise the monopoly of foreign trade in the country, but to facilitate the activity of non-state management forms, 73 companies were authorized to import for micro, small or medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

"But in the analysis we did there were many absurdities, mistakes...", he said.

"The document resulting from the work carried out by MINCEX led us to the conclusion that this department with 24 companies needed to be shut down due to low activity levels and poor performance," he emphasized.

Last week, it was revealed that 15 small and medium-sized businesses were closed down due to irregularities in their accounting.

Judith Navarro Ricardo, legal representative of the National Office of Tax Administration (ONAT), revealed that improper accounting practices were detected, such as purchasing equipment as direct expenses instead of inventory, or issues with primary record controls, such as financial statements, which in many cases are not kept or are concealed.

"Some of these cases can lead to tax evasion crimes. The small and medium-sized enterprise that does not keep proper accounting records and, in addition, does not correctly fulfill its tax obligations, shows an intention to evade, so we have the right to proceed with the report," he stated.

Despite these sanctions, Marrero Cruz denies that there is a crusade against private businesses and asked non-state actors to think less about their profits and contribute to society.

"We are not here to close them," he pointed out, before adding, "What we want to ask all the people who start a business is to contribute to society, which is part of this community."

In that same vein is the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel, who this week announced a plan for "reorganization" for the private and state sectors, due to the "irresponsible manner" in which some of these institutions operate.

Díaz-Canel insisted that it is not a witch hunt against a specific form of management or ownership.

"What we are proposing here is an organization so that there is the greatest number of offerings of goods and services at appropriate prices for the population, and so that everyone contributes everything they have to contribute," he stated.