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The Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) held an extraordinary session of its Central Committee this Wednesday with promises of "economic and social transformations," and the response from Cubans was immediate: a flood of skepticism, irony, and frustration on social media that distills into a single question reflecting widespread sentiment: "Does anyone believe them?"
The meeting, called a month earlier than its usual date and amid heightened tension between Havana and Washington, served as a platform for Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz to present a package of over 20 reforms that, according to him, "will impact the strengthening of the Cuban economic management system" and "involve a profound process that we must undertake with our own efforts."
Marrero assured that the proposals "conceive a recognition of market mechanisms as tools for the efficient allocation of resources," although he was quick to clarify that "they do not in any way imply a renunciation of the state's social responsibility."
The package includes reducing the number of ministries from 27 to 21, greater salary and commercial autonomy for state-owned companies, opening the door for investment by Cubans abroad, and allowing municipalities to import and export without intermediaries.
The proposals are scheduled for debate this Thursday in an extraordinary session of the National Assembly of People's Power.
While the regime-controlled media gradually published the speeches in a pre-prepared manner, Cubans on social media responded without filters.
"The same dog with different collars," wrote a user, summarizing what many think about reforms that the public perceives as recycled.
Others turned to the metaphor of entertainment: “This is a series that has multiple seasons; it’s unclear which one is the last,” one remarked. “Please, I need to know which part of the movie this version is,” another added.
Various comments directly pointed out the contrast between Marrero's physical appearance and the reality faced by the people: "With a full belly, there's no hurry. Be careful with the weight gain that isn't hormonal," wrote a Cuban. "It's too late for two meals," stated another.
Skepticism also took on a more analytical tone: "If they don't decentralize the economy, we'll never get out of this, and it's very important that private property is genuinely private, respecting it," a user suggested.
"The plans are at an illusory level and echo positions that have already proven to be failures," another agreed.
References to the failed "Ordering" of 2021 were inevitable: "Ordering 3.0," summarized a commentator in two words.
The session takes place as cacerolazos shake Havana, Santa Clara, and Santiago de Cuba throughout June, driven by blackouts lasting up to 22 hours a day and an electricity deficit close to 2,000 MW.
The most direct demand left no room for interpretation: "The best thing you can do for the people of Cuba is to leave and let us build our future," wrote a user. "We need the resignation of everyone and the entire communist apparatus," demanded another.
"The circus has begun," concluded a commentator, with three words that encapsulate the prevailing perception of a session that the regime presents as historic, but which ordinary Cubans receive as a show they have witnessed far too many times.
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