Amid a deep economic crisis that increasingly suffocates the Cuban people, the regime has called the X Plenary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party for July 4 and 5, promising to address "vital issues" concerning the economy and society that directly affect the population.
The meeting, according to the official announcement, will focus on the fulfillment of the Government Program to correct distortions and revive the national economy, as well as the plan to stabilize the collapsed electric power system, which has suffered from years of blackouts across the country. The approved strategy for cadre policy from the 8th Congress will also be evaluated, and there will be discussions regarding a proposal for a commemorative program for the centenary of the birth of the dictator Fidel Castro.
The leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, first secretary of the Party, confirmed the meeting and stated that it will also be an opportunity to launch the call for the 9th Congress of the Party. However, beyond the technocratic language of the agenda, skepticism is growing regarding the government's real ability to reverse the deterioration facing the Cuban economy.
The economy is sliding backward, and distortions are increasing
The economist Pedro Monreal, one of the most critical and respected voices in Cuban economic analysis, reacted strongly to the announcement of the Plenary. In a thread published on the social media platform X, he warned that the internal causes of the crisis are structural and political, and he condemned the lack of effective policies to address it.
“Which ‘magic sword’ will the official propaganda raise this time?”, he wondered, referring to the triumphant tone that usually accompanies such party events.
Monreal emphasized that, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Cuba's Gross Domestic Product will decrease by 1% in 2024 and by 0.1% in 2025, which would make the country a case of prolonged recession for the third consecutive year. And although the government approved an economic plan for 2025 just six months ago, the data suggests that document is already "scrap paper."
Additionally, it alerted to other factors exacerbating the distortions: the official double-digit inflation that fails to reflect the true increase in the cost of living, the sustained loss of purchasing power of salaries and state pensions, and the rapid advancement of dollarization in everyday life, with stores, services, and products increasingly restricted to access in foreign currency.
What was said (and not fulfilled) at the IX Plenary Meeting
The July meeting comes just seven months after the IX Plenary, in which Díaz-Canel once again promised that the country would overcome the crisis, but he avoided committing to specific deadlines. At that meeting, the government acknowledged the failure of the "Food Sovereignty" program and the lack of results from the economic plan launched a year earlier.
The Prime Minister Manuel Marrero acknowledged then that the actions taken to contain distortions and reinvigorate the economy had not produced the expected results. Despite insisting that the U.S. embargo worsens the situation, he recognized that price policy, national production, and the fiscal deficit remain significant pending issues.
For its part, the Political Bureau presented a study from the Center for Sociopolitical and Opinion Studies (CESPO), aligned with the PCC, which stated that the majority of Cubans support the system and its leadership.
The conclusions contrasted with independent surveys, where the majority of the population disapproves of Díaz-Canel's management. This attempt to reaffirm legitimacy through sociopolitical studies is seen by many as part of the propaganda apparatus, designed to project an image of popular support that does not reflect everyday reality.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Economic and Energy Crisis in Cuba
What topics will be discussed at the X Plenary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba?
The X Plenary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba will focus on analyzing the Government Program to correct distortions and revitalize the economy, as well as on the stabilization of the power generation system. The strategy for personnel policy and a commemorative program for the centenary of Fidel Castro's birth will also be discussed.
What is the current state of the Cuban economy according to experts?
According to the economist Pedro Monreal, the Cuban economy is facing a structural crisis with an estimated GDP decline of 1% in 2024 and 0.1% in 2025 by CEPAL. Other issues include high inflation, loss of purchasing power, and partial dollarization, which exacerbates inequalities.
How is the energy crisis affecting the Cuban population?
The energy crisis in Cuba has led to prolonged blackouts that affect the daily lives of the population. These power outages disrupt basic services such as water supply and food refrigeration, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and frustration among citizens.
What criticisms have been directed at the Cuban government regarding its economic management?
The economist Pedro Monreal criticizes that the Cuban economic policies exacerbate distortions by promoting dollarization and failing to address the structural causes of the crisis. He points out the lack of self-criticism, transparency, and effective measures, which contributes to a vicious cycle of inequality and economic exclusion.
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