Joaquín Alonso Vázquez, Cuban Minister of Economy and Planning, assured that the country's situation is starting to improve, but warned that new measures will be needed in his sector.
"We have experienced both negative and positive effects that allow us to see how the Cuban economy is starting to recover. The fiscal deficit is improving, not to the extent we want, but it is decreasing; and certain macroeconomic indices are beginning to react, indicating that we are making progress," said Alonso.
His statements were made at an international press conference this Thursday. During the same meeting, he pointed out the significant economic losses that the government incurred after experiencing two consecutive hurricanes and earthquakes in the eastern part of the country.
The minister warned that to revive the Cuban economy, the government will need to implement a package of "additional measures", which he did not elaborate on.
Cuba is in the midst of an economic, energy, political, and social crisis. The government insists that it is receiving support to overcome the situation and that the country's recovery is progressing.
However, Cubans report the lack of food, power outages lasting over 12 hours, the unsanitary conditions growing in the neighborhoods, and the severe issues in the healthcare sector.
Regarding these aspects, Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, Minister of Foreign Trade, stated that Cuba is receiving international assistance, and particularly highlighted that of the United Nations.
"We have received solidarity assistance that impacts the recovery of the National Electro-Energetic System. It includes support with fuel supply; there are countries with concrete offers in this regard," Pérez-Oliva stated.
He emphasized that international support with the provision of food has been important, but Cuban Television edited his statement and viewers could not hear which products were mentioned, nor where or when the regime will distribute them.
The Cuban government has also received assistance from abroad with shipments of medical supplies and electric generators that have arrived from the United States, an aspect that has once again highlighted the contradictions in the official narrative regarding the U.S. "blockade."
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