"Reinvigorating the economy... which economy?": Cubans respond with skepticism to the new Government Program

The new economic program of the Cuban government is criticized for its lack of real solutions. The population expresses dissatisfaction and frustration over repeated promises and a persistent economic crisis.

Ruins of a sugar mill in CubaPhoto © clavesocialen.wordpress.com

Related videos:

The new 'Government Program to Correct Distortions and Revitalize the Economy in 2025' announced by the Cuban regime has sparked a wave of criticism and mockery among the population.

Through social media, Cubans have reacted with skepticism and frustration to a plan they see as a repetition of old promises without real solutions for the crisis facing the country.

From the very announcement, discontent was evident. "The same old story that tires and resolves nothing for the people", commented a user on the Facebook page of CiberCuba, reflecting the widespread feeling of disappointment.

Outrage continues to grow with each new government speech that insists on the need to "correct distortions," while the population faces a reality marked by inflation, shortages, and a lack of opportunities.

One of the points that has caused the most irritation among citizens is the lack of a concrete plan and effective measures to stabilize the economy. "They are going to reorganize the reorganization of the ordering", quipped another Cuban on social media, highlighting the exhaustion with the constant restructuring of the official narrative, which does not translate into real improvements.

The economist Pedro Monreal, in a detailed analysis of the regime's proposal, highlighted the lack of serious structural policies within the supposed program. Instead of tangible solutions, the government presented a vague document, devoid of figures or defined strategies, and without acknowledging the failure of the "Tarea Ordenamiento," which led the country into an even deeper crisis.

"What economy? There isn't even aspirin here", exclaimed another user on social media, referring to the scarcity of medications and basic products, while the regime continues to focus on tourism and the construction of empty hotels instead of ensuring the well-being of the population.

The disconnection between the official discourse and the everyday lives of Cubans has become increasingly evident, leading to growing reactions of outrage and despair.

Among the harshest critiques is the denunciation of the rising inequality and the covert dollarization of the economy. "Translation: to squeeze every last dollar from the people and from families abroad", wrote a user, pointing out how the stores in MLC and the inability to access basic goods in Cuban pesos have created an untenable social gap.

The official rhetoric insists that the new program includes "actions, indicators, and goals," but reality continues to show that the government has no intention of abandoning its centralized model and absolute control over the economy.

"When they correct, the people sink further", stated a commentator, highlighting how each attempt at government rectification has led to a greater decline in the standard of living for Cubans.

In recent years, under the leadership of the "continuity" of Miguel Díaz-Canel, the regime's strategy has shifted from "contingency" to "updating the economic model," from "ordering" to "reordering," and now reaching "correction of distortions" through the transition from "projections" to a "program"; all driven by the immovable engine of "changing everything that needs to be changed" and other mysteries of the regime's propaganda.

However, the conditions in the country have only worsened. "66 years of correcting mistakes and we are still in misery", wrote a user referencing the history of unfulfilled promises that has characterized the Cuban government since 1959.

The lack of transparency has also faced strong criticism. Despite the crisis, the government continues to refrain from publishing key statistics on the economy, the income of the population, or the actual inflation rate.

"Spanish is a rich language, but Díaz-Canel and company use vocabulary that requires a dictionary, and in the end they say nothing", criticized another user, highlighting the confusion generated by the regime's technocratic language.

While the population faces blackouts, shortages, and the inability to meet their basic needs, the government continues to cling to its triumphalist rhetoric.

"More meetings, more lies, and more misery", summed up a Cuban, expressing the collective frustration of a country witnessing the deterioration of its quality of life while the leaders cling to power after seizing it by force 66 years ago, maintaining it through violence and a disregard for the rights and freedoms of the Cuban people.

Satire and sarcasm have become the means of expression for many Cubans on social media, who have learned to mock the regime's promises. "Now we're making progress", one commented with laughing emojis, while another declared: "The only distortion that needs correcting is the system itself".

With a government that refuses to acknowledge its mistakes and an increasingly disillusioned population, the announcement of the Government Program has failed to convince anyone.

"Bla, bla, bla... and we remain in misery", concluded a user, in what seems to be the true summary of the Cuban regime's economic policy for 2025.

Filed under:

CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.

CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.