The Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa stated that Cuba has considerable untapped wealth, a result of the agricultural infrastructure developed by the Revolution, but emphasized that the U.S. embargo remains the main obstacle to attracting investment and technology, refraining from mentioning internal economic restrictions.
The statements were made during a working visit to the province of Sancti Spíritus, where local economic actions were assessed, and where the leader reiterated the need to recover infrastructures created “by the initiative of the historical leader Fidel Castro,” reported the official Canal Caribe.
"We must now take advantage of it (...) there are many millions buried there that came from the sugar production of this country, and we need to capitalize on it now," expressed Valdés Mesa, referring to the resources accumulated from agricultural activities.
Far from proposing a self-criticism or a profound restructuring of the economic model, the vice president chose the usual script, pointing to the embargo as the main culprit for the lack of investors.
"What’s happening here is the blockade (...) people think a lot before putting money here in Cuba because they are pursued, they can't enter the United States," Valdés Mesa reiterated, omitting any mention of the lack of legal guarantees, transparency, or economic freedom in the country.
According to Valdés Mesa, the Revolution has left a legacy of infrastructure, dams, canals, roads, and electric networks. However, he acknowledged that today Cuba lacks the necessary technology to reactivate that productive potential, without explaining why, after more than six decades of absolute state control, such an update has not been achieved.
The call to "recover Fidel's work" highlights the rhetorical dependence on the past as an ideological lifeline for a stagnant present. Despite acknowledging that there are material conditions to boost the agricultural sector, the government continues to fail to present a realistic, transparent, or sustainable plan that transcends the blockade as an all-encompassing argument.
The statements reaffirm a latent contradiction in the official Cuban discourse: the acknowledgment of objective conditions for development versus a continual externalization of blame that ignores internal inefficiencies.
Although there is mention of "millions buried," no concrete plans for their exploitation or clear strategies to modernize the Cuban agricultural sector have been announced.
In December 2024, Valdés Mesa acknowledged the deterioration of living conditions in rural areas of Cuba.
However, beyond highlighting the problem, no concrete solutions were presented to reverse this situation, demonstrating a lack of effective planning to address the structural deficiencies in the agricultural sector.
Even within Fidel Castro's family circle, criticisms have arisen regarding the government's agricultural policies. In October 2023, Alexis Castro Soto del Valle, the dictator's son, questioned the Ministry of Agriculture about the food shortages in the country, stating that after more than 60 years, fundamental concepts of the global economy as applied to the Cuban reality have still not been understood.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Economic and Agricultural Situation in Cuba
What did Salvador Valdés Mesa state about Cuba's economic potential?
Salvador Valdés Mesa stated that Cuba is "sitting on millions that are untapped" due to the agricultural infrastructure developed by the Revolution. However, he blamed the U.S. embargo as the main obstacle to attracting investment and technology, overlooking internal issues such as the lack of legal guarantees and economic freedom in the country.
Why does the Cuban government insist on blaming the embargo for its economic problems?
The Cuban government, represented by figures such as Valdés Mesa and Díaz-Canel, uses the embargo as a justification for economic difficulties, attributing the economic stagnation and lack of foreign investment to the restrictions imposed by the United States. However, this narrative overlooks internal inefficiencies and the absence of significant structural reforms.
What measures has the Cuban government proposed to improve agricultural production?
Despite acknowledging the material conditions necessary to promote the agricultural sector, the Cuban government has not presented a realistic or transparent plan to modernize the industry. Valdés Mesa has emphasized the need to restore historical infrastructures but has not provided concrete strategies to overcome the current obstacles.
What is the current situation of investments in crucial sectors for Cuba?
The Cuban government has prioritized investment in the tourism sector, allocating almost 40% of its resources to this area, while investment in health and social assistance is significantly lower. This allocation of resources has generated criticism, especially when essential sectors such as energy infrastructure and agricultural production require urgent attention.
How does the economic crisis affect the daily lives of Cubans?
The economic crisis in Cuba has led to a rise in food prices and a decrease in the purchasing power of salaries and pensions. The population is facing difficulties in meeting their basic needs due to uncontrolled inflation and shortages of essential products, forcing many to rely on the black market or family remittances.
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