Amid a deep and prolonged economic crisis, the Cuban regime has once again blamed the U.S. embargo for the increasing economic and social problems faced by citizens on the island.
This time, Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío responded on Facebook to the growing criticism of the regime from both inside and outside the country, and accused the United States of leading a "ruthless economic war" against Cuba.
The official stated that the embargo is the main obstacle to economic development, as it prevents access to markets, technology, financing, and fuel, in addition to having a deterrent effect on tourists and international businesses.
"There is no factor that can be compared in terms of its impact and the damage it causes," stated the diplomat, defending the regime's official stance in the face of an economic landscape marked by inflation, shortages, blackouts, precarious public services, and social discontent.
In his statement, he also pointed to what he referred to as an “international economic order inherited from colonialism,” which he blamed for perpetuating underdevelopment in countries like Cuba, with unequal trade structures and limitations on technology transfer.
The official narrative avoids mentioning management errors, the lack of structural reforms, or ineffective economic policies as causes of the crisis.
In contrast, Fernández de Cossío accused analysts and critics of making "superficial or deliberately biased" observations by failing to place the embargo at the center of any analysis of the Cuban situation.
The institutional discourse contrasts with the perception of a growing segment of the population that questions the repeated justification of the "blockade" as the sole cause of the country's problems, while witnessing the accelerated deterioration of living conditions.
This approach is also reflected in recent statements from authorities in Santiago de Cuba, who held Cuban families and the embargo responsible for the increase of homeless individuals.
The provincial director of Labor, Ernesto González Ojea, stated that the phenomenon is due to the "failure to meet family responsibilities" and the international economic context.
However, he avoided mentioning the internal crisis, the collapse of real wages, the precariousness of pensions, and the lack of state protection as structural causes of poverty. The official discourse omits the consequences of decades of inefficient economic policies, extreme centralization, and a lack of economic freedoms that have pushed thousands of Cubans to survive in marginalization.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Economic and Social Situation in Cuba
What is the Cuban regime's justification for the economic crisis on the island?
The Cuban regime blames the U.S. embargo for being the main obstacle to the country's economic development. According to Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío, the embargo prevents access to markets, technology, financing, and fuels, which has a negative impact on the Cuban economy. However, many critics argue that the crisis is also a result of management failures and ineffective economic policies of the regime itself.
What internal factors contribute to the crisis in Cuba?
Although the Cuban regime insists on blaming the United States embargo, the economic crisis in Cuba is also due to ineffective internal policies, extreme centralization, and the lack of structural reforms. Political repression, the lack of economic freedoms, and the state's inability to guarantee a decent standard of living are internal factors that have worsened the situation on the island.
What impact does the United States embargo have on the Cuban economy?
The United States embargo limits Cuba's access to markets, technology, and international financing, according to the Cuban regime. This affects the country's ability to develop economically. However, many analysts argue that the embargo is not the only cause of the current crisis, pointing to mismanagement and the economic policies of the Cuban government as equally important factors.
How does the economic crisis affect the Cuban population?
The Cuban population is facing inflation, food shortages, and prolonged blackouts due to the economic crisis on the island. Moreover, living conditions have deteriorated with the precariousness of public services and growing social discontent. Citizens are also suffering from a lack of opportunities and the collapse of real wages, pushing them into marginalization.
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