During a recent meeting with officials and leaders in the municipality of Gibara, Cuba's Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, reiterated his stance on the impact of the U.S. embargo but emphasized the need to avoid "self-blockade."
"The blockade is real, it is a great reality, and it is the main reason why we are in this situation, but there cannot be self-blockade," said the Cuban government official according to a report from Canal Caribe.
"We need to see how we can transform those things that we can change, starting from our own working conditions, from our own resources, which, although limited, reflect our own potential; we have to do it," Marrero expressed.
These statements were made as part of his ongoing discussions in the territory he represents as a deputy to the National Assembly of People's Power.
However, Marrero's words contrast with his recent history. Just days earlier, at the inauguration of the International Tourism Fair FITCuba 2025 in Havana, the prime minister once again blamed the United States embargo as the main cause of the sector's collapse on the island, overlooking internal factors such as outdated infrastructure, insecurity, shortages, and lack of air connectivity.
The Cuban government has maintained a narrative where the "blockade" is presented as the sole explanation for the country's economic difficulties. However, experts and tourism operators have pointed out that the decline of the sector is also due to unpaid debts to suppliers, corruption, logistical improvisation, and institutional weakening, which distances Cuba from its competitors in the Caribbean.
"Self-control" as a solution to the internal crisis
Similarly, Marrero's statements in Gibara are not an exception within his official discourse. Last April, during a meeting of the Crime Prevention and Combat Department of the Council of Ministers, the prime minister called to strengthen the "culture of self-control" within the state apparatus.
But this call for "self-control" came in an alarming context. In 2024, over 7,700 violations were detected within Cuban state entities, revealing a structure eroded by negligence, chaos, and complicity.
According to Darío Delgado Cura, head of the mentioned department, 56% of the detected violations were linked to internal management failures, which include issues in organization, direction, and supervision.
"Crime is often committed because the person inside colludes with the one outside, or because the system has vulnerabilities that are exploited,” acknowledged Delgado Cura, questioning the effectiveness of the so-called revolutionary control.
The figures for crimes and irregularities, combined with Marrero's official discourse, reveal a state system ensnared in a crisis of credibility. While the Prime Minister insists that the solution is to strengthen "internal control" and "demand," there was no mention of sanctioned individuals, concrete measures, or effective prevention results.
Even in critical sectors such as energy, an alarming increase in fuel theft was evident, particularly at Cimex service stations and liquefied gas sales points of Cupet.
The illicit sale of these resources, which are becoming increasingly scarce for the population, has turned into a flourishing business under the complicit or indifferent gaze of the authorities.
Marrero's speech is based on the concept of "resistance", but reality contradicts the slogans.
While the main leaders insist on the need for "self-control," "demand," and "awareness," crimes and losses of state resources continue to accumulate. The structural causes of the problem—miserable salaries, lack of incentives, institutionalized corruption, and a system that rewards obedience more than efficiency—remain unchanged.
Meanwhile, the official narrative remains unchanged. The leaders must be more demanding, the workers more aware, and the people's resources must be protected. But in a country where there is increasingly less to protect and more to survive, the culture of control seems more like a symbolic gesture than a real solution.
Frequently asked questions about the economic and social situation in Cuba
What does the term "autobloqueo" mentioned by Manuel Marrero mean?
"Self-blocking" refers to the internal barriers created by the government's own management that hinder economic and social development in Cuba. Manuel Marrero emphasized the importance of Cuba eliminating these internal barriers, suggesting that there are aspects that the country can improve regardless of the U.S. embargo.
What are the criticisms of Manuel Marrero's speech on the embargo?
Although the United States embargo is a reality, experts criticize the Cuban government for using it as the sole excuse for the country's economic problems. They ignore internal factors such as corruption, outdated infrastructure, and poor management that also significantly contribute to the island's economic crisis.
How does the "self-control" announced by Marrero affect state management in Cuba?
"Self-control" refers to the need for state entities to improve their management and oversight processes in order to combat corruption and inefficiency. However, the figures show that violations and corruption continue to be prevalent. This suggests that the focus on self-control has not been sufficient to address these structural issues.
What measures have been proposed to improve the tourism sector in Cuba?
The Cuban government has announced incentives for foreign investment, the easing of payments in foreign currencies, and the promotion of new tourism modalities. However, the lack of minimum conditions for visitors and outdated infrastructure remain significant obstacles. The measures announced have often not produced visible results in improving the sector.
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