The regime promoted two generals and one cultural commissioner as new members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC).
Division General Raúl Villar Kessel, commander of the Central Army; Brigadier General Oscar A. Callejas Varcalce, head of the Political Direction of the Ministry of Interior; and Magda Resik Aguirre, first vice president of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), reported the site of the Presidency of Cuba.
The two military personnel and the official received the appointment during the X Plenary of the PPC, which took place this Friday.
According to The Cuban Center for Strategic Studies, Villar Kessell is "one of the figures who has recently reached the military leadership of the Cuban regime with a new background: having gone through military universities in China."
Villar Kessell was born on August 4, 1965, in the town of Bahía Honda, Artemisa. In addition to graduating from Cuban military academies, he attended advanced courses at the National Defense University of the People's Republic of China, one of the three educational institutions of the Chinese army, where he obtained the title of Specialist in Defense and National Security.
For his part, Callejas Valcarce, 63 years old, one of the leaders of MININT, was added to the blacklist of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of Treasury for his role in the social outbreak of July 11, 2021.
Likewise, Magda Resik, television host of the program The Critical Viewer, was a key figure in the censorship of Juan Pin Vilar's documentary Havana of Fito.
The 10th plenum of the PCC had been convened with the promise of addressing "vital issues" concerning the economy and society that directly affect the population, amidst the crisis endured by Cubans, who are facing shortages and power outages of over 20 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Its Current Context
Who are the new members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba?
The new members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba are Major General Raúl Villar Kessel, Brigadier General Oscar A. Callejas Varcalce, and Magda Resik Aguirre. Villar Kessel is known for his training in military centers in China, Callejas Valcarce was placed on the U.S. blacklist for his involvement in the repression of July 11, 2021, and Resik Aguirre is a prominent figure in Cuba's cultural sphere.
What was discussed at the X Plenary of the Communist Party of Cuba?
In the X Plenary of the Communist Party of Cuba, it was promised to address "vital issues" of the economy and society, including the stabilization of the electric power system and the fulfillment of the Government Program. However, there is significant skepticism regarding the government's ability to implement real changes due to the structural economic crisis the country is facing.
What is the current economic situation in Cuba according to economist Pedro Monreal?
Pedro Monreal points out that the internal causes of the economic crisis in Cuba are structural and political. According to CEPAL, Cuba's GDP is expected to decline by 1% in 2024 and by 0.1% in 2025, reflecting a prolonged recession and a lack of effective policies to address the situation. Inflation, the reduction in purchasing power, and dollarization are significant issues that exacerbate the crisis.
How is the Cuban regime preparing for the centenary of Fidel Castro?
The Cuban regime is organizing a commemorative program for the centenary of Fidel Castro's birth, despite his wish while alive not to be honored with monuments. The glorification of his figure is seen as an attempt to consolidate ideological control during a time of deep crisis in Cuba, with socioeconomic issues severely impacting the population.
What is the impact of the recent appointments to the Central Committee on the Cuban population?
The recent appointments in the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba reinforce the perception of a regime focused on maintaining political control rather than addressing economic and social issues. The inclusion of repressive figures aligned with cultural censorship suggests a continuity in tactics of repression and propaganda, while the population continues to face a crisis characterized by shortages and prolonged blackouts.
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